The Domination Story: Us Over Them
January 12, 2025
Luke 22:24-27
see also: Philippians 2:10-11, Genesis 1:26-2:23, Genesis 50:15-21
Series based on The Seventh Story, by Brian McLaren & Gareth Higgins
An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest.
But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.Luke 22:24-27
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The Domination Story tells us that peace and order are maintained through power and control. It is often used to justify oppressive systems in exchange for promises of security and personal benefit.
In the first century, the Sadducees were the epitome of this narrative. As an elite group of priests and aristocrats, they collaborated with Rome to secure their privileged status. They maintained their wealth and by aligning with the oppressors, even at the expense of justice for their people.
Jesus’ interactions with the Sadducees were marked by challenge and confrontation. When they attempted to trap Him with questions about the resurrection — a doctrine they rejected — He exposed their shallow faith and misunderstanding of God’s power (Mt. 22:23-33). Jesus’ life directly opposed their love of earthly power, proclaiming that the least are the greatest.
This teaching is perhaps most poignantly illustrated in Luke 22:24-27. During the Last Supper, the disciples argued about which of them was the greatest. Jesus responded with a counter-cultural declaration: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them… but you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant.”
Jesus directly contrasts the Domination Story with the Servant Story. In the kingdoms of the world, greatness is tied to power, status, and control. But in the kingdom of God, greatness is found in humility, service, and self-giving love. Jesus didn’t just preach this — He lived it. The One who could rightly claim the highest place took on the lowest role, washing His disciples’ feet and ultimately laying down His life for the sake of others.
Today, we still encounter the Domination Story in corporate greed, political power plays, and even church hierarchies. These systems thrive on the pursuit of control, often masking their motives with claims of benevolence. Yet Jesus calls us to reject such narratives and embody the values of His upside-down kingdom. We are called to lead not with authority but with humility, to seek service rather than recognition and to prioritize justice and compassion over personal gain.
How might you unknowingly participate in systems that prioritize control over justice and compassion?
What does it mean to choose humility and servant leadership in your daily life?
How can Jesus’ example of being “among you as one who serves” shape the way you interact with others?