More Than Troops Will Obey Him

Obey Him

Obey your father

When I was growing up, it was understood in my house that Dad was in charge. If he said to take out the trash, he meant right then. Not when your show was over or when it was convenient. You obey. Now.

So it was shocking to me to see other children talk back to or ignore their father.

Obey THE Father

Jesus would consistently obey His Father. So He knew the importance of the command structure of Heaven:

Father
Son
Holy Spirit
Angels

One day a Roman soldier – a centurion with 100 men under his command – came to Jesus for help. His servant was at home, paralyzed, sick, and suffering. When Jesus offered to go to him and heal him, the centurion told Jesus he didn’t deserve to have Him in his house. “BUT just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)

Then the centurion explained, “I am a man under authority with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Mt 8:9)

Amazing Faith

When Jesus heard the soldier’s bold statement, He was amazed. Then to His followers He said, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Mt 8:10-11) “I way to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham ,Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

Part of Jesus’ amazement came from the fact that the officer was not even a Jew. At this point in Christ’s ministry, He was offending the Jewish leaders and even His own followers didn’t understand His true mission. So to find someone who grew up with multiple man-made gods who then has this much healing faith in Jesus is amazing.

A command to obey

Jesus’ response was simple: Because of the man’s bold faith, He said, “Go! Let it be done as you believed.” And the servant was healed in that moment.

Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus rewards our faith? That He doesn’t have to be physically in the room for healing to occur?

The centurion was commanded to “Go.” His request was granted, and he could rush home to celebrate. As a man under authority, he would immediately obey.

Luke’s version differs slightly, with some believers approaching Jesus and telling Him the centurion deserved to have Jesus come. Why? Because he loves the Jews and helped build the local synagogue. So Jesus went.

But the soldier sent friends to stop Him. He didn’t think he was worthy to ask for help. “But say the word, and he will be healed.”

Worthy?

Both accounts indicate the soldier felt unworthy. I don’t know about you, but I get it. Do I feel “Worthy” to approach Jesus? No. Am I worthy? No.

You and I are only made worthy by Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Our debt was too great. But He paid it for us. And because of that, because of His blood, we are now worthy to approach.

What it means for me:

Everyone is welcome to approach Jesus – A soldier from the occupying force is an unlikely believer, but Jesus didn’t turn him away. Instead, He praised his faith.
Recognize Christ’s authority – The creator of all things has authority over all things. Things go better for us when we recognize this and let Him take charge.
Have faith to ask for Jesus’ help – Maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t always pray for help because I hate to “bother” God with my stuff. But if I look at this story, I see that Jesus praises this kind of faith. I need to recognize His willingness to help.