In reading the history of the past one cannot but notice the constant struggle that has been going on in man for preeminence. This human weakness to excel and attain a position of preeminence seems to have existed in all ages. In this struggle for place and power, oftentimes, everything worth living for has been sacrificed, and misfortune and ruin have resulted.
This desire to rise above their fellows in public estimation has, by no means, been confined to the learned and deserving ones, but all classes of people have felt it to a greater or less extent. Jesus himself saw this ambitious, worldly desire, even among his disciples. Forgetting his grand sermon on the mount and the spirit of meekness, and disinterested Love there taught, the ambitious mother of two of these disciples interceded with him in behalf of her two sons. Realizing that Jesus was the great Redeemer of his people and supposing that soon he would be raised to a place of great worldly power and honor, she besought him to grant her request that when he should "come into his Kingdom" one of her sons "should sit on his right hand and the other on his left." Jesus rebuked her vain ambition and told her "this was not for him to give." See the result of this foolish request. And when the ten (remaining disciples) heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. According to Matthew "they were moved with indignation against the two brethren." But Jesus called them to him, and explained to them that "whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
This weakness for preeminence is a very insidious foe, and quickly leads into error. We may think we are free from it, but if we harbor it to any extent our fellow disciples will either see it or hear it, and then like the ten, they will doubtless "begin to be much displeased" with us.
