The Mission

Christ Wants Only Willing Surrender

Christ does not force people to receive Him. Satan and those under his spirit try to compel the conscience. Under a pretended zeal for righteousness, some people who are working with evil angels bring suffering on other human beings in order to “convert” them to their ideas of religion. But Christ always seeks to win by revealing His love. He wants only the willing surrender of the heart under the influence of love. 4TC 281.3

On another occasion James and John used their mother to ask for the highest positions in Christ’s kingdom. These young disciples held onto the hope that He would take His throne and kingly power as the people wanted Him to do. 4TC 281.4

But the Savior answered, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They answered confidently, “We are able.” 4TC 281.5

“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized,” Christ declared. Ahead of Him was a cross instead of a throne! James and John would in fact share their Master’s suffering—one destined to swift-coming death by beheading, the other, longest of all to follow his Master in labor, in being spoken against, and in persecution. “But to sit on My right hand or on My left,” He continued, “is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared” (Mark 10:38-40). 4TC 282.1

Jesus rebuked the pride and ambition of the two disciples. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” (Matthew 20:26, 27). In the kingdom of God, position results from character. The crown and the throne are evidences of having conquered self through the grace of Christ. 4TC 282.2

Many years later, the Lord Jesus revealed to John how to come near to His kingdom: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21). The one who stands nearest to Christ will be the one who has drunk most deeply of His spirit of self-sacrificing love—love that moves the disciple to work and sacrifice even to death to help save humanity. 4TC 282.3