Date: 04-20-2020

Title: Authority Over Presence

(S) cripture:
    Matthew 8:9-10 (NASB77) “For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.

(O) bservation:
    The Centurion understood authority and Jesus’ ability to command. That is why he knew that if Jesus simply gave the command his servant would be healed it would happen and Jesus’ physical presence was not necessary. It was Jesus’s authority that would make things happen. Jesus saw the Centurions recognition of his authority as faith and commended him for it.

(A) pplication:
    I wonder just how much we understand Jesus’ authority to speak and cause things to happen. So often we beg Jesus for his presence when what we need is to ask him to act in his authority. This is not to negate the power of his presence in our lives. Often though we neglect to understand and ask Him to use his authority in our life and current circumstances. Because I understand his authority does not mean I can command Jesus to use it. I must simply ask in faith and trust Him to act. Today I will be different because I will focus more on Jesus’ authority than on feeling his presence. I know his presence is with me because the Holy Spirit lives in me. Today I will also trust his authority.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, I ask you to speak and act in my life today according to your authority. I trust you and love you and want my life to bring glory to you. Amen