Jesus called them together and said, ”You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
There are numerous scriptures that talk about how the people were amazed at the authority with which Jesus spoke, and the authority that he had over demons and sickness. The authority with which he healed, and the authority he had to forgive sins. Yet, Jesus never demanded submission to his authority, although he had every right to do so. He was in fact the son of God, the Messiah, the Word of God that was in the beginning speaking everything into being. Of all the people to ever walk the face of the Earth, Jesus had more reason to demand submission to his authority than anyone ever did, yet he walked humbly instead.
Jesus said that he did not come to be served, but to serve. This is God’s way of doing things. The authority of the world is taken, but God’s authority is given. Many times people confuse having a title with having authority, and as a result they demand submission to their authority. This is a very different kind of authority from that which Jesus had, and that which is given to his disciples. This kind of authority comes from a submitted heart, a humble spirit, and a lifestyle of service.
The word used to speak of the authority of the gentile rulers in this scripture is katexousiazó, which means to exert authority downwards, oppressively, dominate, and demand submission. But the word that is often used to describe the authority of Christ is exousia, which means conferred power, delegated empowerment, authorization, operating in a designated jurisdiction. One is taken, one is given.
When someone demands submission to their authority because they have a special title, they are claiming katexousiazó (opressive authority), yet when a man walks in exousia (delegated empowerment), they need no special titles, because people will naturally recognize their authority and follow after them. This was lived out in Jesus Christ himself, a man of humble origins, having no titles, no Earthly qualifications, and yet crowds of people recognized his authority everywhere he went.
Authority that is lived out correctly never has to demand submission, because it will be freely given to them.