“Thou art not far from the kingdom of God”
(Mark 12:34)
The Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees, vastly different in philosophy, have on this occasion united in what they perceive as a common threat to their authority (Mark 12:13-27). Through their questions they are attempting to silence Jesus and end his influence. (It must be noted that their questions were not genuine, inasmuch as they were not seeking for the truth, but posing them only as a means to discredit Jesus.)
However, in the midst of their failed attempts to trap Jesus in his own words, there was a man of a different stripe. Standing in the midst of his peers, yet unaffected by the pressure, was a man willing to think for himself. As it should be, for each of us will be judged by ourselves independent of any other (II Corinthians 5:10).
“The scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him. Thou art not far from the kingdom of God”… (Mark 12:32-34).
Genuine seekers of truth… I wish their number was legion! Folks willing to set aside human opinion to hear the truth of God’s word, and when they hear it, they know… “That is the truth, I will yield to it!”
Maybe there are those here tonight who are far from the kingdom of God. Willing to stand against peer pressure, and when they hear the truth that will make us free (John 8:32), they obey that truth. What is that truth that will make us free?
- You must hear the word of God (Romans 10:17).
- You must believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16).
- You must repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30).
- You must confess Christ before men (Romans 10:10).
- You must be baptized for the remission of your past sins (Acts 2:38).
- You must remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).
Beloved, be added to the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Do it now while we stand and sing.