Ambition was historically seen as striving for favour. It’s Latin root means to go around, such as soliciting votes, and to curry favour. From the seventeenth century it came to mean someone’s strongest desire. What’s your strongest desire, or ambition? We tend to think of career and financial success, but Jesus directs our gaze elsewhere. Jesus indicates that discipleship will always prove demanding. Following Christ involves self-denial and embracing the cross (v24), an uncomfortable place to go.