Thursday, January 17, 2013
Matthew 8:8-9 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
A MATTER OF AUTHORITY
Much of the world we live in sees prayer as a good luck charm at best and a waste of time at worst -- though some might grant that at least it often has a positive effect on the mindset of the person praying.
Of course, a view of prayer based on the Word of God takes an entirely different point of view. Like the Roman army captain (centurion) from first century Capernaum, we know that prayer addressed to Jesus is not a wishful thing but a positive, practical act of faith.
The confidence of the centurion was to him a rather simple matter. As a military man he both took orders and gave them. In both cases obedience was a given -- the normal expected result of issuing orders to someone sworn to follow such commands.
And here's where one of those Epiphany lights flashes bright. Jesus, the eternal Son of God has sworn (when God gives His word what else would you call it?) to hear and answer petitions presented to Him in faith. Furthermore, Jesus is not only the Commander-in-Chief of the angel armies (Lord of Hosts), He is the very Word and command by which the universe and everything in it was brought into being. (Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3.)
The centurion had it right. The commands Jesus issues will be carried out -- and His authority not only extends over angels unseen but also to the unseen forces at work in our bodies as well. Because the Christ who was crucified for us rose triumphant over death, we can be confident that He who forgives our sins also lives to hear our prayers. Truly, prayer is not "doing nothing"; it is faith swinging into action.
Kyrie eleison.
