Former Blackout Artist

The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.” Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” – Mark 12:32-34

In the exchange above, Jesus and a teacher of the law share a moment of connection that’s rare in the Gospels. The religious leaders were often at odds with Jesus, but here, one of them recognizes the profound truth in what Jesus says: that loving God with everything we are and loving our neighbors as ourselves are far more valuable than religious ceremonies. It’s a reminder that God looks at our hearts, not just our actions.

The teacher’s understanding showed that he was close to grasping the heart of the Gospel. Yet, as Jesus told him, being not far from the kingdom of God isn’t the same as being in the kingdom of God. He still needed to take the step of faith by recognizing and accepting Jesus not just as a wise teacher, but as the Savior.

It’s sobering to consider how many people, like this teacher, are close but not quite there. Maybe they know about Jesus, admire His teachings, or even agree with His wisdom, but they haven’t taken that final step of surrender and trust. Proximity to the kingdom doesn’t guarantee entry.

As I meditate on Jesus’ response to the teacher in verse 34, I think of someone else who was very close to the kingdom of God: the thief on the cross who rejected Jesus, even as he hung next to Him in the defining moment of history. He was so close! But his heart remained far from salvation. He witnessed grace in its purest form, yet chose to remain hardened.

This is a dire warning reminding us that being near the truth isn’t enough. Knowledge and proximity must turn into faith and surrender. But it’s also an encouragement for us to examine our hearts. Are we loving God with everything we have? Are we stepping fully into His kingdom, or are we holding back?

Today’s Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing us that what You desire most is our hearts. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as You love us. If there are areas where we are “not far” from Your kingdom but haven’t fully surrendered, reveal them to us. Let us not just be close, but fully in. In Jesus’ name, Amen.