thinking bible.

You asked

where do we see 'lording it over others' in our current societies, and how might we resist it?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Mark 10:42-45

Jesus called them to himself, and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

This passage is part of a longer conversation in Mark's Gospel where Jesus is traveling with his disciples towards Jerusalem. After two of his disciples, James and John, ask for positions of power in his coming kingdom, Jesus uses this moment to teach all of them about a radically different kind of leadership.

What systems or mindsets in your own context unintentionally promote 'lording it over' others, and what small steps can you take towards service instead?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Matthew 20:25-28

    A parallel account of Jesus' teaching on servant leadership, emphasizing the same message.

  • Philippians 2:5-8

    Paul describes Jesus' example of humility, emptying himself to serve others, even to death.

  • 1 Peter 5:2-3

    Peter instructs elders to shepherd God's flock willingly, not domineering but being examples.

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