A simple connection of the process of faith can be found in the interaction of Jesus and the Roman centurion. The centurion comes up to Jesus on behalf his servant who is suffering and near death. At first glance of this passage we simply see the consequence of the centurion’s faith, when he tells Jesus, “only say the words, and he will be healed”. But how did the centurion get himself to this point? If we’re not careful, we will misunderstand faith and misuse faith to speak thoughts of desires and needs into our life through prayer while quietly worshiping an idol and not God.

Matthew 8:5-13

The simple step that got the centurion to faith was acknowledging and accepting the authority of Jesus. The centurion was more perceiving of Jesus than the passage directly expresses. He calls Jesus Lord, while his military occupies the jewish territory. He compared Jesus to himself, a professional solider on mission living out the orders of another. He then proceeds to express he is unworthy to have Jesus come to his house so he ask Jesus to rule over time and space, to merely speak the words of healing. You can’t ask Jesus to speak words of blessing when you haven’t acknowledged and accepted the authority God has given Him.

If you’re going to take a step with Jesus, find and follow his authority of life.