1/21/2026

Day 21: 

The Centurion’s Authority

Matthew 8:5–13

The centurion understood something most people miss: authority and surrender are inseparable. When he said to Jesus, “I too am a man under authority,” he revealed a kingdom principle that governs heaven and earth—power flows through submission, not independence.

This Roman centurion approached Jesus on behalf of his servant, who was paralyzed and suffering terribly (Matthew 8:6). It is already remarkable that a Gentile officer of an occupying army would humble himself before a Jewish teacher. Even more striking, Jesus offered to go to his house and heal the servant. But the centurion stopped Him: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).

This was not false humility—it was spiritual clarity. The centurion understood authority because he lived under it daily. He explained, “For I also 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” (Matthew 8:9). His authority did not originate with him; it flowed through him because he was submitted to Rome’s command structure. He recognized the same reality in Jesus. Jesus did not need proximity, rituals, or visible effort. Authority does not require presence—only position.

The centurion discerned what many religious leaders missed: Jesus lived in perfect submission to the Father, and therefore exercised unquestioned authority over sickness, distance, and reality itself. Scripture confirms this pattern throughout Jesus’ life: “The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing” (John 5:19). Because Jesus surrendered completely to the Father, “all authority in heaven and on earth” was given to Him (Matthew 28:18).

Jesus marveled. “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith” (Matthew 8:10). This Gentile soldier understood faith better than covenant insiders. 

Faith, in the kingdom of God, is not striving to persuade God; 

It is surrendering to His authority. 

It is trusting His word without demanding explanation, proof, or control.

Notice what the centurion surrendered. He surrendered pride—acknowledging unworthiness. He surrendered status—approaching a Jewish rabbi as a supplicant. He surrendered control—asking Jesus to act without understanding how. And he surrendered entitlement—believing Jesus owed him nothing. This is the posture Scripture consistently honors: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Jesus spoke one sentence: “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And immediately, “the servant was healed at that very moment” (Matthew 8:13). Authority moved because surrender was already in place.

This principle echoes throughout Scripture. Authority followed Moses’ surrender at the burning bush (Exodus 3). Power followed Elijah’s submission to God’s word (1 Kings 18). Healing and deliverance followed the apostles because they lived under Christ’s lordship (Acts 3:6; Acts 19:11–12). Submission always precedes spiritual authority.

Our modern world resists this truth. We want influence without obedience, power without accountability, and authority without surrender. But the kingdom does not operate on independence—it operates on alignment. Jesus Himself “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death”, and therefore “God highly exalted Him” (Philippians 2:8–9).

Where are you trying to command outcomes without first submitting to Christ’s authority? Where are you speaking words without living under the Word? The centurion teaches us that faith is not loud confidence—it is quiet surrender. And when we truly live under Christ’s authority, His word becomes enough for everything we face.

"Authority in the kingdom is never seized—it is released through surrender to the One who reigns.”