READ:
MATTHEW 20:20-28
Ambition
can be channelled towards spiritual things. In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul says “…covet
earnestly
the best gifts…” The word ‘covet’ in that verse comes from a Greek word
‘zelos’ which means, having a strong passion for something. You can desire
great spiritual heights. Just ensure you adopt God’s method for arriving at
that goal.
The two sons of Zebedee, James and John, were chosen by the Lord. They were among the twelve. After a period of following Him, they were convinced that all Jesus told them, both of the present and the after-life were true. At a point, considering that Jesus had twelve of them, they began to think of how they could become more prominent so as to occupy the most prominent positions beside the throne of Jesus in Heaven. They wanted nothing short of that. That was a good ambition.
Suddenly, it dawned on them that they could achieve their aim through lobbying. They convinced their mother to go with them, believing Jesus will be compelled by her plea. When they requested for the heavenly positions, Jesus told them the method they were adopting would not fetch them their desire. He told them that getting to that position required a very costly price. They said they were prepared to pay it. Are you prepared to pay the price to get to your goal?
The other disciples heard and were moved with anger but Jesus pacified them and told them how to be great in Heaven. James and John were unperturbed. They paid extra attention to Christ’s teachings and ensured they made Him happy. Before long, they had become so close to Jesus that He hardly went anywhere without them. Together with Peter they became a part of His inner circle.
They did not stop there. John went steps further and became number one. In Acts 12:1-2, James eventually crowned his efforts at becoming great in Heaven by becoming the first Apostle to be martyred. John continued and was later thrown into hot oil. When he would not die, his persecutors eventually banished him to a most dangerous island, Patmos, full of wild animals. He too paid the price. Today, they occupy great positions in Heaven. You too can follow God’s way to fulfilling your ambition.
The two sons of Zebedee, James and John, were chosen by the Lord. They were among the twelve. After a period of following Him, they were convinced that all Jesus told them, both of the present and the after-life were true. At a point, considering that Jesus had twelve of them, they began to think of how they could become more prominent so as to occupy the most prominent positions beside the throne of Jesus in Heaven. They wanted nothing short of that. That was a good ambition.
Suddenly, it dawned on them that they could achieve their aim through lobbying. They convinced their mother to go with them, believing Jesus will be compelled by her plea. When they requested for the heavenly positions, Jesus told them the method they were adopting would not fetch them their desire. He told them that getting to that position required a very costly price. They said they were prepared to pay it. Are you prepared to pay the price to get to your goal?
The other disciples heard and were moved with anger but Jesus pacified them and told them how to be great in Heaven. James and John were unperturbed. They paid extra attention to Christ’s teachings and ensured they made Him happy. Before long, they had become so close to Jesus that He hardly went anywhere without them. Together with Peter they became a part of His inner circle.
They did not stop there. John went steps further and became number one. In Acts 12:1-2, James eventually crowned his efforts at becoming great in Heaven by becoming the first Apostle to be martyred. John continued and was later thrown into hot oil. When he would not die, his persecutors eventually banished him to a most dangerous island, Patmos, full of wild animals. He too paid the price. Today, they occupy great positions in Heaven. You too can follow God’s way to fulfilling your ambition.
MEMORIZE:
HEBREWS 4:11 –Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief.
