But Jesus’s model for ministry is different. After James and John’s audacious request for authority, Jesus reminds the disciples that gentiles (read “unbelievers”) think this way about authority: “Rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them” (Mark 10:42, emphasis mine). In other words, Jesus knows that the default position for those in authority is to domineer and squash those they lead. Then comes the punch line: “But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you
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