Mark 12:34
Notes
Transcript
“You are not far from the kingdom of God”
“You are not far from the kingdom of God”
Examples of being “far away” in the Bible:
And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.
The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
The scribe tries to use the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament) to stump Jesus by asking “Which commandment is the most important of all?”. Jesus gently but firmly gives His answer. It is important to note that each of these commandments have their foundation in love.
This shocks the scribe. He then quotes
This shocks the scribe. He then quotes
English Standard Version Chapter 6
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Here in verse 34 we read that “when Jesus saw that he answered wisely”. Jesus heard the scribe’s answer but also knew the intentions of his heart and mind, : “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
While the scribe had a “head knowledge” he did not have a “heart knowledge” thus Jesus said “you are not far from the kingdom of God”.
according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Therefore, it takes more than just knowing about Jesus. We must know Him. We must have union with Christ! : 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)
One draws near to the kingdom of God not by proper theology but by drawing near to Jesus. Jesus exhibits his filial and messianic authority in declaring who is on the threshold of the kingdom of God, which is present not in the Torah but in himself.
If you, or someone you know, only has a mere head knowledge of Jesus ask them, plead with them, beg them to bend their knee to Jesus and submit to Him. Read this portion of scripture among many other scriptures:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But know this: It will take someone to go and tell of these great truths. As believers, this is our calling by God:
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Romans 10:14-
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
