Recognizing Authority: It exists.

Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10

Context:

- a Roman centurion comes to Jesus (Luke account says elders were sent).

- this man was likely a "Gentile pagan" by birth.

- he was a commander over a garrison of a hundred men.

- he appealed to Jesus regarding a highly valued servant who was sick (paralyzed) and near the point of death.

Was this centurion a typical Roman? (Luke 7:4,5)

- he was well liked by the Jews, having built a synagogue.

What was Jesus' initial response to the appeal?

Matthew 8:7 "...I will come and heal him...”

Luke 7:6 "...And Jesus went with them..."

What was the centurion's response?

Matthew 8:8-9 "...But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it...”

Luke 7:6-8 "...When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it...”

What did Jesus think of the centurion's response?

Matthew 8:10-12 "...When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven..."

Luke 7:9 "...When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith...”

What did the centurion receive because of his belief?

Matthew 8:13 "...And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment..."

What do the faithless receive for their unbelief?

Matthew 8:12 "...while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth...”

Are we believers or unbelievers?

Do we 'presume' to be 'worthy'?

Do we recognize the authority of Jesus?