The Apostles Suffer Disappointment 

Jesus’ apostles suffered repeated disappointments because they misunderstood his mission. The prophets had taught them to expect a Messiah, someone who would reestablish the Jewish kingdom and defeat their Roman oppressors. Time and again, Jesus tried to explain that his kingdom was spiritual, not political or national, but they refused to hear him and clung to the idea that he was the expected king and that they would be given positions of honor in this new kingdom.

The Jewish people had long believed that someone would eventually come to sit on the throne of David, the one-time king of Israel. When Jesus could not convince his followers that he had no intention of establishing a governing kingdom, he chose to teach them that he did want to establish a kingdom. But this would be a kingdom of God, not of politicians or warriors. Right up to his death, there was great confusion about Jesus’ true mission, and even today there is still debate about whether he was the Messiah.

Not long after Jesus had chosen his apostles three of them, Peter, James Zebedee, and Judas Iscariot, took Jesus aside, and Peter said: "Master, we come at the behest of our associates to inquire whether the time is not now ripe to enter into the kingdom. And will you proclaim the kingdom at Capernaum, or are we to move on to Jerusalem? And when shall we learn, each of us, the positions we are to occupy with you in the establishment of the kingdom?'' Peter would have gone on asking further questions, but Jesus stopped him.

He then beckoned the other apostles and said to them what he had tried to explain before: "My little children, how long shall I bear with you! Have I not made it plain to you that my kingdom is not of this world? I have told you many times that I have not come to sit on David’s throne, and now how is it that you are inquiring which place each of you will occupy in the Father’s kingdom? Can you not perceive that I have called you as ambassadors of a spiritual kingdom?

"Do you not understand that soon, very soon, you are to represent me in the world and in the proclamation of the kingdom, even as I now represent my Father who is in heaven? Can it be that I have chosen you and instructed you as messengers of the kingdom, and yet you do not comprehend the nature and significance of this coming kingdom of divine pre-eminence in the hearts of men?

"My friends, hear me once more. Banish from your minds this idea that my kingdom is a rule of power or a reign of glory. Indeed, all power in heaven and on earth will presently be given into my hands, but it is not the Father’s will that we use this divine endowment to glorify ourselves during this age. In another age, you shall indeed sit with me in power and glory, but it behooves us now to submit to the will of the Father and to go forth in humble obedience to execute his bidding on earth."

Once more his apostles were shocked and stunned. Jesus then sent them away to pray to know the Father’s will.

Four years later, in March of 30 CE, James, John, and their mother, Salome, approached Jesus with a request for prestigious positions in his kingdom. Jesus, saddened by their misunderstanding of his spiritual mission, denied their request, explaining that such honors are reserved by his Father. In addition to their disappointment, word spread about this request, causing indignation among the other apostles. Jesus later addressed all of the apostles, emphasizing service over authority and explaining his mission to serve and sacrifice.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and was cheered on by the multitudes gathered for Passover, his apostles expected him to seize the moment to establish a political kingdom and assert himself as the Messiah publicly. Instead, nothing happened. Jesus focused on a peaceful demonstration and did not confront the religious or political authorities, leading to confusion and disappointment among his apostles.

Despite years of teaching, his apostles continued to misunderstand the nature of his kingdom, expecting a political reign, even jostling for seats of preference at the Last Supper. This misconception persisted until Jesus' arrest and execution, after which the apostles began to realize that Jesus' kingdom was about divine love and guidance, not earthly power. The realization of Jesus’ vision for a kingdom ruled by love rather than force is an ongoing process, continually evolving and often misunderstood.