Close, But Not Quite

Close, but Not Quite

Read: Mark 12:28-34

“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Mark 12:34

“Christ came to save all through His own person.”

—Irenaeus

IN WORD The teacher of the law, having come to probe Jesus’ theology, is probed himself. He commends Jesus’ insight into true devotion, and thinks the matter is settled with his endorsement. Jesus steps over the endorsement with authority and commends the teacher’s belief that the love of God and neighbor are the substance of God’s heart more than burnt offerings.

We are satisfied with the teacher’s position, too, and are glad that, at least for once, a legal expert got it right. But Jesus stops short of declaring him right with God. He’s got the right idea, but he isn’t there yet. To be “not far from the kingdom of God” is still to be outside of it. Something more is needed.

This should alarm us. Don’t we know many who profess love of God and neighbor and consider it salvation? Don’t many of us describe that as the essence of our faith as well? Why isn’t this enough for Jesus? What’s the problem?

We need to learn two lessons from the teacher of the law. (1) Knowing doctrine is not the same as knowing God. Plenty of people know the right words and agree with the right things. That’s not enough. We cannot enter the kingdom of heaven unless we’re born of God’s Spirit. We cannot get there without knowing Him. (2) Knowing God is not possible without knowing Him through Jesus. The exact representation of God on earth, the body in whom God met a sinful race, cannot be bypassed without rejecting the One who sent Him. Though many try to identify other ways, it just isn’t possible.

IN DEED Jesus’ semicompliment to the teacher is a slap in the face of our culture. Modern religionists have so watered down God that He is alleged to be known on their own terms. Jesus would tell all who believe in a generic god and do good works in His name: “You aren’t far from the kingdom. But you are not yet there.”