Servant Authority!

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

1 Sam 1:9-20; Mk 1:21-28

Today’s Gospel highlights the servant authority of Christ. 

The text employs the word ‘authority’ twice directly. Indirectly, it also lets us understand Jesus’ authority over the unclean spirit, as can be seen in his command. In sum, it distinguishes Jesus’ authority from that of the scribes. 

However, when the text describes that Jesus’ authority was not like that of the scribes, it gives us a different understanding about his notion of authority. The scribes enjoyed the authority that came from their learning. But they used it in a very self-serving manner so that they made servants of others.

Nevertheless, Jesus reveals that the real purpose of authority is service to others. People are astonished and amazed at the way Jesus demonstrates his authority in action by driving out the evil spirit. By the use of his authority to do good to others, Jesus reminds us that ‘If we have power, we must use it for the poor.’ People discover the uniqueness of Jesus’ authority precisely because he places it in service of others.

To this end, Jesus gives a unique teaching on servant authority. Mark 10: 42-45 reads thus: ‘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 the 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.’ 

Rightly so, we find the terms ‘Servant Authority’ and ‘Servant Leadership’ inherently contradictory. But Jesus wants us to realize that service is the true form of Christian authority. For this reason, if our authority is not meant to serve others, it becomes a disservice. 

Let us pray that we may exercise our servant authority to follow the true Servant Leader, our Lord.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar