Dominate or serve

"[Jesus] saith unto them : The kings of the nations rule them, and they that are in authority over them are called benefactors ; it will not be so with you ; but let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the one who leads as the one who serves. Who is the greatest, who is at the table or who serves ? Is not he the one at the table ? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves." Luke 22. 25-27

The "fall" of man in Eden has affected his relationship with God ; she has also disrupted her relationships with her peers. This desire for domination of man over man was born there. Then he goes through the whole story.

This thirst for domination will be seen alas to the bosom of the people of God. One can quote Abimelech (Judges 9), a cunning, proud and violent man ; and also Absalom, who wants to usurp his father's throne (2 Samuel 15).

The contemporaries of Gideon told him : "Dominate us." But he was humble and spiritual enough to respond : "I will not rule over you... The Lord will rule over you" (Jug 8. 22, 23).

Even the disciples do not escape this desire of our sinful nature. Jesus had to take them back : "The kings of the nations dominate them... it will not be so with you" (verse of the day).

In the Church, the desire for domination has wreaked havoc. The power of the ruling clergy over the conscience of the faithful was sometimes terrifying. Nowadays, Christian leaders develop an unhealthy attitude of authority or hold over believers, as formerly Diotrephes (3 John 9).

How to be delivered from this insidious spirit of domination ?

Jesus said to his disciples : "May the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the one who leads as the one who serves... But I am in your midst as one who serves."

Dominate, Jesus could have. He will do it in all justice in the millennial reign ; but he had come to serve !

To "serve" the people of God is what delivers us from the desire for domination.

The Apostle Peter seems to give another secret : "Feed the flock... not ruling over inheritances, but being the models of the flock" (1 Pet. 5. 1, 2).

Many seek a role of domination ; many less seek this role of "model". It is very much preferable.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)