of the new era not
already allotted?

Jesus' popularity had increased once more, and in the more thickly
inhabited districts the people hurried together. "The Prophet is
passing through!" They streamed forth bringing provisions with them,
and the sick and crippled came imploring Him to heal them. He accepted
enough to meet His immediate needs from the store that was offered Him,
but He did not work the desired miracles. He forbade His disciples
even to speak of them. He was angry with the crowd who would not
believe without miracles, and would not understand the signs of the
times. "Directly they see a cloud rise in the west they say: It's
going to rain. If a south wind blows they know that it is going to be
hot. But they do not understand the signs of a new world uprising. If
they cannot understand the spiritual tokens, they cannot have others.
They would fain see the sign of Jonah, who lay three days in the
whale's belly? Be it so. They shall see how the Son of Man, after
being buried for three days, shall live again."

Judas shook his head over such talk. "That doesn't help much." But
the others, especially John, James and Simon, did not think about the
kingdom of the Messiah, or about earthly power; their hearts were
filled with love for the Master. Yet they, too, had their own
temptations. They often talked together of that other world where
Jesus would be Eternal King, and where they--they who firmly adhered to
Him--would share His glory. And in all seriousness they dreamed of the
offices and honours that would be theirs, and actually disputed who
among them would hold the highest rank. Each boasted of his own
achievements. James had brought Him the most friends in Galilee.
Simon rested his claim on the fact that he had been the first to
recognise in Him the Son of God. John reminded them that he came from
the same place, and had once worked with Him as carpenter's apprentice.
John might have said that the Master was especially fond of him, but he
did not say so. Simon, on the contrary, put forward most emphatically
the fact that the Master had called him the rock on which He should
found His community.

When Jesus noticed how they were disputing He went to them and asked
what they were discussing so eagerly.

"Master," said James boldly, "you come to us as if we had called you.
We want to know who among your disciples will be first in the Eternal
Kingdom. See, brother John and I would li