Under Authority?

[cavell]

I also am a man under authority - Luke 7 : 8

This centurion seems to be rather unusual for a Roman soldier - unusually tolerant, "he loves our nation", the Jewish leaders said about him. He is unusually generous "he built us a synagogue" they said. But most surprising of all, unusually humble. "Do not trouble further sir, it is not for me to have you under my roof......... But what Jesus found unusual about him was his faith. "Nowhere, not even in Israel have I found faith like this" said Jesus

He had said that he believed that Jesus could heal from a distance, just as easily as if he were near. But that was'nt what made his faith remarkable. It was his understanding of the person and the authority of Jesus. "I also am a man under authority" the A.V. says.
"I know for in my position I am myself under orders, with soldiers under me". "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, is the New English Bible translation.

As an army officer he had authority because he was under authority. He recognized that Jesus lived by the same principle. Jesus said himself "I came not to do my will, but the will of him that sent me"

"I too am under orders" the soldier said...... Under whose orders are you?

To be a Christian means to be under the orders, under the authority of Jesus Christ. When we call him Lord this is what we acknowledge: His right to rule and reign in our heart. For many this comes as a crucial experience, a deliberate yielding of one's self completely to Jesus Christ: and then every day living in a way that pleases him

Paradoxically, but truly, this way of obedience to Jesus is the way to freedom and joy.

[Pete Martinez]

He leads us to green pastures and still waters
Psalm 23:2-He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:3-He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:4-Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

[seeker]

Amen.
I was a christian for yrs ....or thought I was because I beleived in Jesus but it took me almost 20 yrs to actually realise that this meant nothing unless I was obedient to him. It changed my life and still is.

Seeker