In just a few days we will be celebrating Father’s Day, a day on the calendar to honor fathers for sacrificing for their families and being who God has called them to be. An important thing to remember is that regardless of our earthly Father’s character, good or bad, we have a Heavenly Father that always loves us and never fails to watch over us. He is ready to be present in any circumstance of life with fatherly counsel and help. For many that are fathers, it is a time to reflect on fatherhood and a starting place to improve our fatherly character.
In Matthew 8:5-13 we see Jesus healing the centurion’s servant, an encounter applicable to all of us, but especially a help for fatherhood. This centurion was not a Jew, but a military man, yet it says in Luke’s account that, “He loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” Obviously, the centurion had done some good things that had honored God’s chosen people, but the key to him receiving his miracle was not in these notable things. In Verse 8, we read the centurion’s comment that caused Jesus to marvel at his great faith. The centurion had asked Jesus to “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” This response gives us understanding that not only did the centurion have revelation of the power of Jesus’ words, but that he also knew the authority that Jesus walked in.
Later in Verse 9 it reveals why the centurion believed this miracle was possible when he said, “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 explains some things about authority that is helpful for all of us in receiving a miracle. He understood that authority is determined by submission. He knew that his ability to command others was directly connected to who he was submitted to. When he gave an order to those in his care, it was just as if those he was submitted to was giving the order. His submission made commanding power work. If the centurion was not submitted to a greater authority, it is doubtful that those beneath him would have listened to him.
For all of us we must understand that as we are submitted to God, our authority in the earth works. When we need to raise our voices or “power our way” with people, it is evidence that we aren’t certain of where our authority comes from. The more submitted to God we are the more freely the power and authority of God flows through us. Once again this requires us to first submit to God.
This Father’s Day let’s all make a fresh commitment to submit to our Heavenly Father and allow the authority that he has given to us flow freely toward us and through us. If we are submitted to Him first in everything we say and do, others will see the glory, authority, and presence of God on us. Our command is only as strong as our submission.
With much love,
Pastor Jerry and Trudy