road?"

James felt his anger turn against the Master, who was sitting near the
door. He had not been wrangling! It was a matter of simple fairness!

"Why were you wrangling on the road today?" Not one of the disciples
ventured to answer--the question was put to them a second time.

"An evil spirit of envy and dispute has come among us," said Jesus. The
men sensed how deeply hurt he was.

"If any of you wish to be first in the Kingdom of God, you must learn to
serve rather than to rule." While he was speaking, Peter's little
daughter peeked around the edge of the doorway. She drew back at the
sight of the men, but she was so curious that soon she put her head
around the corner again. Jesus saw the disciples smile and he turned.
"Come here, little girl," he said gently and held out his hands,
smiling. She came to him, and he lifted her to his lap. She leaned
trustingly against his shoulder and looked shyly at the men.

With his arms around her, Jesus said, "If you are willing to serve even
this little child, then you have discovered what it means to be my
disciples. But if you do anything to keep even the most despised person
from believing in me, you would be better off in the bottom of the sea
with a great stone tied around your neck!"

When James finally spoke, his tone was controlled. "But, Master, who is
to rule in the new Kingdom when we get to Jerusalem?"

The disciples leaned forward. _Now we shall get this business settled!_
thought the Zealot.

"Among the gentiles, a man is great if he rules over many people,"
answered Jesus. "But in the Kingdom of Heaven it is the other way
around: you are great if you serve, not rule."

"But when we get to Jerusalem, Master, who is going to run the new
government?" insisted James boldly.

"Do you think of nothing but ruling others? You do not understand my
Kingdom at all." Then, slowly and emphatically, Jesus said: "James, if
you want to be great in my Kingdom, you must be a servant! If you want
to be the chief disciple, you must make yourself the slave of all the
others! I myself did not come to rule over many nations--I came to serve
the people--yes, even to give my life to buy them from slavery!"

"Master, we know that the new Kingdom will be different," interrupted
Peter. "But we shall rule the gentiles, shan't we?" He did not wait for
an answer. "You ought to decide which one of us will have the main
authority."

The Zealot looked at Peter suspiciously. _So