Jesus’ Authority, Our Faith – Luke 7:1-10

Dr. Bar van Heerikhuizen explains the three types of human authority: 1) charismatic authoritative, that of someone we find superior to us, 2) traditional authority, authority that is vested traditionally in someone, and 3) rational-legal authority, authority based in competence and legality.  Charismatic authority tends to make a comeback when people are scared or needy, and find someone who will lead them to a place of security and safety.  Which type of authority did Jesus have?

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. 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.” 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.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.  (Luke 7:1-10 ESV)

What does amazing faith look like?  A Roman centurion gives us a picture.  Though a Gentile, he had come under the influence of God through Judaism.  He loved the Jewish people and used his money to build a synagogue in Capernaum, indicating, in all likelihood, that he had converted to Judaism.  When a beloved slave falls deathly ill he seeks Jesus to heal him, getting an introduction and testimonial about his character from the Jewish town leaders in Capernaum.  

Knowing that Jews are not to enter the house of a Gentile because it makes them unclean ritually, he sends friends to tell Jesus what he believes.  “I understand your authority, Master, that just like me all you have to do is command anything under you and it must obey, even this illness in my servant.”  This is one of the few times we are told that Jesus marveled.  He of course tells the disease to leave the centurion’s servant and he is healed.

The centurion’s faith was humble (he did not demand anything of God) and it was based in a recognition of Jesus’ absolute authority.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.  He can do anything he chooses.