But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Read: Matthew 20:20-28).
24-27 The indignation of the ten doubtless sprang less from humility than jealousy plus the fear that they might lose out. These verses demonstrate that interest in egalitarianism may mask a jealousy whose deepest well-springs are not concern for justice but "enlightened self-interest." The disciples revert to the squabbling of an earlier period (Mk 9:33-37; cf. Matt 18:1). Jesus calls them together and draws a contrast between greatness among "Gentiles" and greatness among heirs of the kingdom. Power and authority characterized the Roman empire. Greatness among Jesus' disciples is based on service. Anyone who wants to be great must become the "servant." In the pagan world humility was regarded as a vice. Imagine a slave being given leadership! Jesus' ethics of the leadership and power in his community of disciples is revolutionary. [NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume 2: New Testament].
The measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige; it is service.
[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].
[http://twitter.com/SowersOfTheWord].
JESUS IS LORD.
24-27 The indignation of the ten doubtless sprang less from humility than jealousy plus the fear that they might lose out. These verses demonstrate that interest in egalitarianism may mask a jealousy whose deepest well-springs are not concern for justice but "enlightened self-interest." The disciples revert to the squabbling of an earlier period (Mk 9:33-37; cf. Matt 18:1). Jesus calls them together and draws a contrast between greatness among "Gentiles" and greatness among heirs of the kingdom. Power and authority characterized the Roman empire. Greatness among Jesus' disciples is based on service. Anyone who wants to be great must become the "servant." In the pagan world humility was regarded as a vice. Imagine a slave being given leadership! Jesus' ethics of the leadership and power in his community of disciples is revolutionary. [NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume 2: New Testament].
The measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige; it is service.
[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].
[http://twitter.com/SowersOfTheWord].
JESUS IS LORD.
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