For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. 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.
Matthew 8:9 (CSB)
The centurion was explaining why he believed Jesus could heal his servant with just a word. As an army officer, he gave orders and his soldiers carried them out, even when he was not standing next to them.
The officer had that power because he was “under authority” himself, which means someone over him had given him the right to command. He believed that Jesus had authority from God in the same way, so whatever Jesus said would happen. And Jesus is more than a man sent by God. He is God the Son, so His word has all of God’s authority.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is King over everything. After He rose from the dead, He said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Because His promises carry that authority, we ought to trust them even on days when we cannot feel Him near. When He says He will be with His followers always (Matthew 28:20), we can count on it.
Jesus used His authority for us. He chose to obey His Father all the way to the cross, where He died for our sins, and then God raised Him from the dead. Everyone who trusts Him belongs to a King who keeps His word.