European Scientific Journal July 2014 edition vol.10, No.20 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 97 DID JESUS FORBID AMBITION FOR GREATNESS IN LUKE 22:24–30? AN INTERCULTURAL RECONSIDERATION Dr. George O. Folarin William Sunday Ojelade Department of Religious Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria Abstract This is an Intercultural study of aspiration for greatness in Luke 22:24-30 first in the initial context of the first century Roman culture, and then in the contemporary Western Nigerian cultural context. The study looks at the common scholarly argument that the disciples were contending for superiority among themselves and that Jesus used this incident to correct their fight for power. After re-examining the text in the two cultural contexts, the study concludes that there is nothing condemnatory of aspiration for power in the text, but that the text challenges Jesus’ disciples to use the power inherent in it for and in his service. Keywords: Aspiration-ambition; greatness; power; servant; eschaton; and judgment. Introduction The issue of ambition or aspiration for greatness is contentious among Christians and the theological view of each Christian scholar is obviously reflected in his interpretation. Luke 22:24-30 has particularly been unfairly exploited by those who use the alleged condemnation of ambition for leadership by Jesus to subject their followers to perpetual followers and dependants. Expectedly therefore, many Christians remain at the level of followership. They rarely develop to become leaders since they are discouraged from aspiring to greatness. It is therefore common in Nigeria for leaders even in the church to pass down leadership baton in churches to relatives or close associates. This sometimes results in the church largely lacking in the right kind of leaders. This again sometimes leads to the dissatisfaction of many members with the kind of leaders their church presently has. This article examines a key text used to discourage ambition