The Power of Honor
I love the story of the centurion and his great faith. Let’s read the text first then dissect a couple of things.
Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having 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.” When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick. Luke 7:1-10
A centurion in the Roman army was over 100 men. He was a soldier of rank and honor. This centurion had used his own funds to build a synagogue for the Jewish people in Capernaum. The elders let the Lord know that he loved the nation of Israel and deserved a miracle. Of course, Jesus would go anyway, but their esteem for him is amazing considering the fact the centurion was a hated Roman.
The centurion sent the elders because he didn’t feel worthy to speak to the Lord. Once the Lord approached his home, the centurion then sent friends to Him and, again, told Him that he was not worthy for Him to enter his home. This is incredible. The Roman had every RIGHT to demand the Lord to do what he asked. He was a wealthy, a citizen of the nation that had the Jews under subjection, and a soldier of rank. The amazing thing about this man is that he RECOGNIZED the Lord’s authority and position unlike many Jews! This repeatedly happened. The 10 lepers that were healed are another example. Only the Samaritan came back and thanked the Lord. This centurion BY CHOICE placed himself as one UNDER the Lord’s rank! A Roman!
Then he said something amazing, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” This amazed the Lord. The centurion understood authority. To have faith in the authority of Jesus’ simple command to heal his servant was not seen in anyone so far. Both the honor this centurion displayed toward the Lord, an honor that surpassed what the Lord had experienced with the Jews, and his understanding of authority were key to the GREAT FAITH he possessed and the results he received.
Many believers have a rough time believing the Word of the Lord that has been recorded in our Bibles. You must see that just as the Lord released the command and healed the servant, we have the words of the Lord written in the Bible that WE CAN RELEASE in faith and see the same results!
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:10-12
Do you see that the Word will not return to HIM void? God takes it personal when you speak the Word in faith. In fact, it is
IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE WORD TO RETURN TO HIM VOID unless you void it with negative words.
You MUST UNDERSTAND the authority Jesus gave to you. It is EXOUSIA in the Greek. It is a legal jurisdiction that natural elements and demonic spirits MUST OBEY. They have no choice. This authority is what the Lord took back and its jurisdiction is in both heaven and earth. You carry LEGAL JURISDICTION over anything that is contrary to what Jesus purchased for you on the cross–forgiveness, healing, wealth, peace, and emotional stability.