Not far...
| One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." 32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark12:28-34) |
Let us examine some key elements of this encounter.
1.THE SCRIBE. The scribes combined a scientific and technical knowledge of Hebrew laws and scriptures, skilfully expounding them to the common people. They were the teachers of their countrymen. Holding the key of knowledge, they were charged with the duty of unlocking the written word.
Unfortunately they tended to narrowness, exclusiveness, tradition and the official. But there's something different about this Scribe. We should remember that the other Scribes were looking for opportunities to trap him: when they asked questions it was not for knowledge but to put Jesus in trouble with the authorities or to accuse him of not keeping the law. This Scribe is different. He comes because his last encounter with Jesus was answered well. Unlike the others, he is really searching for answers. Jesus finds this lawyer to be an intellectual who answers wisely. Because of this Jesus declares that he is not far from the kingdom.
2.THE KINGDOM OF GOD. What does it mean? This is the phrase that Jesus uses often in his teachings. The Kingdom is the rule of God, whether in the human heart or in society. It exists now, but it has its full realisation in eternity. Some have to seek and gain it. Those who have gained it have to labour to retain it, and this retaining may be regarded as winning it. It is to be noted that Christ Himself never gave any definition of the Kingdom, and perhaps it is not wise for us to attempt to do so...
3.NOT FAR. What the Lord observed in reference to the man was the intelligence displayed by his answer. It was shown not only in accepting the Lord's judgement as to the two primary commandments, but in detecting the principle on which the judgement rested: the superiority of moral over ritual obligations. Distance from the new Kingdom is measured neither by miles, nor by ceremonial standards, but by spiritual conditions. The man was to some extent intellectually qualified for admission to the Kingdom; certainly he grasped one of its fundamental principles.
What is it that made this man "not far from the kingdom of God"?
- A nearness that is brought about by intellectual sincerity.
- A nearness to personal godliness that is brought about by moral integrity and conscience.
- A nearness to personal godliness that is brought about by ceremonial faithfulness. A true inclination and susceptibility of soul are developed by a right use of the Divinely appointed means and channels of grace.
It's good to have this kind of an attitude but it's not enough to be near and not inside or part of the kingdom.
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Christopher Mkandawire is a husband to Rhoda married for 19 years, blessed with three children and minister for David Livingstone Memorial Presbyterian Church for the past 18 years.
