Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Authority
Matthew 8:9
“For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
The centurion who had the servant sick at home seemed to have been exercising a level of compassion and concern for a servant that would have been quite unusual in the era. It is quite likely that this conduct, though seemingly uncharacteristic, was as a result of the impact of the Jewish scriptures and his participation in activities in and around the synagogue.
We also know, that as a centurion, he was in a pivotal role in the Italian Regiment that was the backbone of the occupying power. The regiment was the military force meant to represent the power of Rome, allowing it to exercise political, administrative, and economic control over the natives. This regiment also policed the religious freedom allowed the Jews for as long as it served to keep the people settled.
Finally, this centurion understood the authority structure in which he functioned recognising that he was simultaneously in authority while himself remaining under authority.
The authority structure, military discipline, is critical to keeping the military functioning. The rules and ordinances are strictly obeyed without question with each subordinate level, individual or group, carrying out the commands of the level above in strict compliance. Every officer understood his authority and exercised it while maintaining strict compliance with the orders he himself received from those in authority over him.
Our centurion also understood the lessons that could be learned from the military authority structure and how this could be applied in other circumstances, in this case, spiritual circumstances.
Military structure and military type compliance are not applicable in every circumstance and situation. One big challenge is often that former military officers who, when placed in civilian roles in government or other circumstances, are unable to function effectively when subordinates do not carry out their orders with strict compliance.
There are authority structures in the civilian world, without them, society would collapse, it is just that the authority structures are different and not based on military-type training and indoctrination.
It is remarkable that the centurion not only understood how the authority structure works, but that he recognised that he was up against a system of authority where the strict compliance to the commands of those in authority had to be obeyed in military fashion.
The Apostle Paul later explains this for us. In his letter to the Ephesian church, he writes, in military terms, that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12.
When Paul urged his readers to put on their military armour he presented our enemy as an organised force with an authority structure. Military experts tell us that it is the structure and discipline that make the army effective and not just a mob running wild with weapons. Paul is saying that the kingdom of darkness has an authority structure designed to undermine us and we have to be ready as good soldiers of the counter force to take that army on.
Often, when we teach on the armour of God as outlined by Paul, we teach it in terms that are less a preparation for battle and only in terms of the spiritual development of a believer. It is a serious mistake to remove the context from the teaching. The context is important because it lets the Christian remain focused on the spiritual realities in which we operate, but it also lets us recognise that our Commander-in-chief has ultimate authority in this realm.
Paul had, earlier in this very letter, already established that Jesus was the highest spiritual authority “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:21.
Later, in a letter to the Colossians, he repeated this position this way, “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9,10
So, the centurion had deep spiritual insight. He recognised that he was up against a spiritual problem, he recognised who Jesus was, he recognised that he was “unworthy” of Jesus coming to his home, but he also recognised that in the realm of the spirit Jesus had all authority and location was an unimportant factor in the actual victory.
The centurion outlined this principle of authority after he had made a request of Jesus for spiritual intervention. He said to Jesus “only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8. In other words, when You Jesus speak a word it has effective power over spiritual forces of darkness because You are the final authority, and I understand authority.
No wonder Jesus said of this man, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
Think on these things:
- What kind of organisational structure do you function in at your place of employment?
- What kind of organisational structure is in place in your church?
- Does the organisational structure in your church prepare individuals and groups for spiritual warfare?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would recognise that we are both under authority and in authority and should put on our armour and fight the spiritual battles of our time.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex
