Answer: What Jesus told His apostles was "Not so
with you" was that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their high officials exercise authority over them,
(verses 42 and 43).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Still considering an earthly kingdom, the apostles were
"vying for position." Still assuming that that
Jesus' kingdom would be earthly, they sought positions of
power "at Your right and the other at Your left in Your
glory." Jesus told them, in effect, that they
didn't know what they were taking about. He explained
that the values of the worldly rulers and high officials were not
the value of HIS kingdom. They were not to use the standards
of the world as THEIR standards. Power and greatness and
leadership in HIS kingdom would be gained in a much different
fashion. He also applied this principle among the leaders of
the Jews. Christ's standards of humble service are for
all Christians, including the leaders of His flock:
Matthew 23:1-8a: "Then Jesus said
to the crowds and to His disciples: 'The teachers of
the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must
obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they
do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up
heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves
are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything
they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide
and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of
honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call
them "Rabbi." But you are not to
be...'"
Mark 9:33-34: "They came to
Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, 'What
were you arguing about on the road?' But they kept
quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the
greatest."
Luke 20:20-26: "Keeping a close
watch on Him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They
hoped to catch Jesus in something He said so that they might hand
Him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the
spies questioned Him: 'Teacher, we know that You speak and
teach what is right, and that You do not show partiality but teach
the Way of God in accordance with the Truth. Is it right for
us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?' He saw through their
duplicity and said to them, 'Show Me a denarius. Whose
portrait and inscription are on it?'
'Caesar's,' they replied. He said to them,
'Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is
God's.' They were unable to trap Him in what He had
said there in public. And astonished by His answer, they became
silent."
Luke 22:24-26a: "Also a dispute
arose among them [the apostles] as to which of them was considered
to be greatest. Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the
Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over
them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like
that.'"
1 Peter 5:1-3: "To the elders among
you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings
and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be
shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing,
as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to
the flock."
