Whoever Wants to Be Great Must Be a Servant
Jesus inverts greatness: the great are servants.
Jesus forbids status-seeking and defines leadership as service, grounding it in his own mission to serve and give his life.
Scripture
25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
27 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
42 Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.
45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
25 He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'
26 But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
27 For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.