Getting closer doesn’t mean getting easier. Exactly.

When they made their special request to Jesus, James and John weren’t in any kind of crisis. In fact, things were looking up. They were heading toward Jerusalem with Jesus. The crowds were getting bigger. They were getting close to Jesus. Never mind that he was talking about dying before entering into his kingdom. They heard that he was heading for a kingdom and they wanted a piece, a place.

Because that’s what we’re promised, right? If we are close to Jesus, everything will be happy. Eve...