Mark- You Are Not Far From The Kingdom

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Mark- You Are Not Far From The Kingdom Read Mark 12:28-34

Jesus has had several prickly encounters in a row. He’s been challenged, questioned, and they’ve even tried to trap him. In this passage someone approaches him with genuine curiosity. This one teacher of the law stands out and is different. He listens to Jesus and sees that he has answered wisely. Then he has a question... but it comes from a different place. It’s an honest interaction. And after it, no one asks any more questions. Let’s think about why.

1. What makes this teacher of the law so different that all the others previously encountered in Mark? Why does he act so differently than the other teachers of the law?

2. This one man does what none of the others do. Much attention is given to his answer and the response of Jesus but why is he different? Why was he able to see that “Jesus had given them a good answer” when everyone else is still against Jesus. In the middle of these discussions he is the only one who has an honest exchange. What can we learn from him in that moment?

3. The teacher of the Law asks Jesus about one of the most foundational thing in the Jewish faith. Everyone else is asking questions about current politics and modern interpretation of laws... but this man is going deeper. This man isn’t concerned by all the buzz of the day but wants to know if Jesus is deeply rooted. Deep roots hold us when there is noise all around. How does being rooted in Jesus’s answer hold us when there is noise all around?

4. ThemanrespondstoJesuswellandsumsupwhathasbeenmostimportanttothe Jewish and Christian faith for all of time. It’s this. To love God and neighbor with heart, mind, and strength (body). Everything is summed up in that. Everything that was missing from the previous interactions is in that statement. Some of the previous questions engaged the mind but lacked the heart. Some of the teachers of the law had the right thinking but wouldn’t apply themselves (strength) to help others. Some of us are very connected with our heart, our mind, or our actions but bringing all three together can be difficult. Is it harder for you to engage your vulnerable emotions, your critical thinking, or taking right action? Where do you need the most growth in this area?