Authority Both in Words and Action

What an amazing chapter that clearly demonstrates the power and authority of our great King Jesus. After Jesus finished the sermon on the mount, chapter 7 concludes with a very significant statement “for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” In chapter 8 the events that follow are the demonstration of Jesus authority in action from healing the leper with a touch, healing a suffering servant without any contact, healing a fever with just a touch of the hand, casting out demons with a word, rebuking the winds and the sea, and removing demons from two fierce unstoppable men.

How do all these healings feed your faith in Jesus? I want to have the amazing faith of the centurion who clearly saw his status before Jesus, that he is the slave and that Jesus is the king, whatever Jesus says goes. And the centurion believed in Jesus’ sovereignty and absolute control over his servant’s illness. Do I believe that Jesus is king over my circumstances and that whatever he says goes? Do I believe that Jesus can heal the negative self-talk, the overwhelming emotions of fear and anxiety, the tension in my relationships, or my chaotic environment? Yes, yes, and yes because Jesus cares deeply about my circumstances like he cared for all of these people. And he has authority then and authority now.

All these events highlight Jesus’ deep compassion for individuals. He makes a personal connection, not just a mass exhibit of his powers to persuade the crowds.

What words can you proclaim out loud from Jesus to extinguish your fears and doubts today? What acts of Jesus can you meditate on to feed your faith?