NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM (56 OF 70)
by Jerry Watts
Scripture: Mark 12:28-34
This content is part of a series.
Not Far From the Kingdom (56 of 70)
Series: Mark - God's Message for Today
Jerry Watts
Mark 12:28-34
Can you imagine how describe felt when he heard Jesus say, "You are not far from the kingdom of God?"
This had been a busy day for Jesus. Since coming into the temple, He had been confronted by just about everybody in the building. It began with the Sanhedrin who, when Jesus finished speaking, walked away with the truth that Jesus said they may not make it to heaven. The continued with the Pharisees and the Herodians who, when Jesus finished with them, walked away in disbelief and marveled at his wisdom. Next, came the Sadducees. When Jesus finished with them, they knew how Jesus felt about them and their theology. In a word Jesus said, "YOU OUR WRONG!"
It appears that this one scribe has been watching Jesus for this entire day and has taken in all the confrontations to Jesus and heard all the answers by Jesus. When the smoke cleared, it would seem that this scribe felt like he had the one question which might ultimately reveal Jesus for who He was. So as we have read, this scribe puts the question to Jesus, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Now it is easy for us to get real spiritual, but I ask you how would you have answered that question? Just ponder your response for a second.
Let it not be lost on you and me that this scribe attempted to come privately, but Jesus answered publicly. He began, "The most important is," and at that point, it appears that he spoke to the crowd by saying, "Hear, oh Israel." It would seem that this scribe had asked a very important question and Jesus wanted to make sure that everybody heard the answer. And with everyone's attention, Jesus said, "The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." My personal opinion is that Jesus did not even take a breath and continued, "The second is thi ...
Series: Mark - God's Message for Today
Jerry Watts
Mark 12:28-34
Can you imagine how describe felt when he heard Jesus say, "You are not far from the kingdom of God?"
This had been a busy day for Jesus. Since coming into the temple, He had been confronted by just about everybody in the building. It began with the Sanhedrin who, when Jesus finished speaking, walked away with the truth that Jesus said they may not make it to heaven. The continued with the Pharisees and the Herodians who, when Jesus finished with them, walked away in disbelief and marveled at his wisdom. Next, came the Sadducees. When Jesus finished with them, they knew how Jesus felt about them and their theology. In a word Jesus said, "YOU OUR WRONG!"
It appears that this one scribe has been watching Jesus for this entire day and has taken in all the confrontations to Jesus and heard all the answers by Jesus. When the smoke cleared, it would seem that this scribe felt like he had the one question which might ultimately reveal Jesus for who He was. So as we have read, this scribe puts the question to Jesus, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Now it is easy for us to get real spiritual, but I ask you how would you have answered that question? Just ponder your response for a second.
Let it not be lost on you and me that this scribe attempted to come privately, but Jesus answered publicly. He began, "The most important is," and at that point, it appears that he spoke to the crowd by saying, "Hear, oh Israel." It would seem that this scribe had asked a very important question and Jesus wanted to make sure that everybody heard the answer. And with everyone's attention, Jesus said, "The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." My personal opinion is that Jesus did not even take a breath and continued, "The second is thi ...
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