"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And 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. And no man after that durst ask him any question" (Mark 12:28-34).
Jesus could see right through people. They might hide behind pleasantries and smiles around each other, but not with Jesus. He knew all men (John 2:24-25). The Pharisees feigned sincerity; He called them hypocrites. Sadducees framed flattering questions; He saw the bait in the trap. Peter acted as if he had no fears; Jesus saw one who would soon fear a maiden's question.
Jesus, in this context, had been dealing with those far from the kingdom-the Pharisees by formality, the Sadducees by skepticism and arrogance, the publicans and sinners by vices, and the multitude by ignorance (cf., 11:15, 18, 27; 12:12, 13, 18, 28). No one had come honestly desiring to know the truth. They had all been sent home in shame. But He saw something different in this scribe. He was close to the border of the spiritual kingdom of God.
Who Was He? He was a religious man. He came asking Jesus a Bible question and evidenced a love for God. The Ethiopian treasurer rode over a thousand miles to worship at a Jewish festival, but he, too, was in need of change (Acts 8:26-39). Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee of Pharisees, but found that religion, alone, could not please God (Galatians 1:14; 1 Timothy 1:12-16; Acts 26:9).
He was a knowledgeable man. Jesus had met many religious people who knew nearly nothing about the Bible. But this man was different. He had studied and showed great insight into the Old Covenant. Some today are diligent students, though outside of Christ. If they will obey what they learn, God will save them (John 7:17; 6:44-45; Acts 2:36-41; 8:26-39).
He was a discreet man. Discreteness (prudence) indicates sincerity. He was honest-but in error (Luke 8:15). Sincerity and integrity are necessary, but insufficient by themselves (Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 18:24-26). Saul was sincere when he was putting Christians to death (Acts 7:58; 23:1; 26:9; 1 Timothy 1:13). Cornelius was sincere but needed words whereby he and his house might be saved (Acts 11:14).
Where Was He? He was near the kingdom. Jesus presents the church as a city into which one might walk. This man was near the border or, as we would say, in the suburbs. One's proximity to the kingdom of God is not an estimate of feet or inches, but of faith and obedience.
He was outside. Being near the kingdom is not the same as being in it. One may come 99 miles of a 100 mile trip and never arrive. One can pay for years on a home, then default on the last payment, and not own it. The manslayer, pursued by the avenger of blood, could get within sight of the city of refuge, but if he paused and was overtaken, he would die as if he were far from safety (cf. Joshua 20:3).
He was in danger. A person "not far from the kingdom of God" is still lost, for he must be in the kingdom (or church, Matthew 16:18-19) to be saved (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23; Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Accountable people who are not in Christ's kingdom are in Satan's kingdom, for those are the only two places one can be on earth
(Colossians 1:13; Luke 11:18). The only time to which God binds Himself is now (2 Corinthians 6:2). Great things can be done in a short time, but now we have 10,080 fewer minutes than at this hour a week ago, and 524,162 fewer minutes of time than this day last year. It is dangerous to wait!
He was in a place of decision. The rich young ruler had been there (Matthew 19: 16-24), as Felix later would be (Acts 24:25). Agrippa, too, failed in the land of decision (Acts 26:28)
Why Was He There? It is not because it would not be worth it to enter. There he would find forgiveness (Revelation 1:5-6; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; John 3:5) and peace (Philippians 4:7). He would be a priest and commune with Christ (Revelation 1:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:16). From there he would have been delivered up to the Father at Christ's second coming (1 Corinthians 15:24), because his name would be enrolled in heaven (Hebrews 12:23).
It may have been some stumbling block that was keeping him out. It could have been a love for money (1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:19-21), or a fear that others would object (John 12:42-43; Matthew 10:34-37; Luke 14:26). It might have been an inadequate sense of sin (self-righteousness) (cf., Isaiah 1:6; Matthew 20:28) or just procrastination (Hebrews 3:7-8; James 4:14; Luke 12:16-21). He had made great progress; all he needed was to take the final step. We know not what happened to him, but would like to think that he was one of the three thousand who were added to the kingdom on Pentecost (Acts 2:41).
You may be in the same position. Don't delay outside the camp (Hebrews 3:7-8)! Before George Washington crossed the Delaware, a Tory farmer gave the British general a note stating Washington's plan. Instead of reading it immediately, the British general placed it in his pocket. When he did read the note, he was a prisoner of war! Don't wait till you are a prisoner of the devil before thinking about obeying Christ. It is the first step that costs, it is the last step that pays.-P.O. Box 520, Jacksonville, AL 36265