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What Is the Highest Position?
This chapter is based on Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke
18:31-34.
Passover was approaching, and again Jesus turned toward
Jerusalem. In His heart He had the peace of perfect oneness with the
Father’s will, and with eager steps He pressed on toward the place
of sacrifice. But a sense of mystery, of doubt and fear, came over
the disciples. The Savior “was going before them; and they were
amazed. And as they followed they were afraid.”
Again Christ opened to the Twelve His betrayal and sufferings:
“‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are writ-
ten by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.
For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and
insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And
the third day He will rise again.’ But they understood none of these
things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the
things which were spoken.”
Had they not just been proclaiming everywhere, “The kingdom
of heaven is at hand”? Had not Christ Himself given to the Twelve
the special promise of positions of high honor in His kingdom? And
had not the prophets foretold the glory of the Messiah’s reign? In
the light of these thoughts, His words about betrayal, persecution,
and death seemed vague and shadowy. Whatever difficulties might
come, they believed that He was soon to establish His kingdom.
John and his brother James had been among the first group who
had left home and friends to be with Him. Their hearts seemed
linked with His, and in the warmth of their love, they longed to be
nearest to Him in His kingdom. Whenever he could, John took his
place next to the Savior, and James longed to be honored with an
equally close connection with Him.
Their mother had provided for Christ freely from her funds. With
a mother’s love and ambition for her sons, she coveted the most
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