Mark 10:42-45
“Jesus called them to himself, and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over 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 from the Gospel of Mark, written probably in the mid-to-late first century CE, compiling early Christian traditions about Jesus. Here, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after James and John requested positions of honor in his coming kingdom, prompting indignation from the other disciples.
What does 'serving' truly mean in a position of public power, and how might that differ from what we often expect?