Not Far from the Kingdom : Mark 12:34 : What Jesus Did! : HEARTLIGHT®

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Not Far from the Kingdom - Mark 12:34

Jesus saw that the man answered him wisely. So Jesus said to the man, "You are close to the kingdom of God." And after that time, no person was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions. (ERV) Full Text

Key Thought

Despite the hostile environment in which Jesus faced the tough questions put to him, he appreciated the honest seeking heart of this expert in the Jewish law. In an atmosphere where most were trying to trap Jesus, Jesus still had time to offer a great compliment to this truth-seeker. While most of Jesus' questioners left embarrassed and afraid to ask him any more questions, this questioner left with an affirmation. We need to realize that Jesus is always happy to receive us with our honest questions. He longs for us to seek him. However, as we honestly seek to understand Jesus and his will, we must be certain that we are living in obedience to that will. As we seek to obey our Lord, our hearts are opened to understand his instruction so that his will becomes clearer. So let's begin our honest questioning of the Savior by first submitting our lives to his lordship.

Today's Prayer

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Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to share with us and to show us your truth. Be with me and grant me wisdom as I seek to live for you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Today's Verses in Context

One of the teachers of the law came to Jesus. He heard Jesus arguing with the Sadducees and the Pharisees. He saw that Jesus gave good answers to their questions. So he asked Jesus, "Which of the commands is most important?" Jesus answered, "The most important command is this: 'People of Israel, listen! The Lord our God is the only Lord. You must love the Lord your God. You must love him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second most important command is this: 'You must love other people the same as you love yourself.' These two commands are the most important." The man answered, "That was a good answer, Teacher. You were right when you said these things. God is the only Lord, and there is no other God. And a person must love God with all his heart, all his mind, and all his strength. And a person must love other people the same as he loves himself. These commands are more important than all the animals and sacrifices we offer to God." Jesus saw that the man answered him wisely. So Jesus said to the man, "You are close to the kingdom of God." And after that time, no person was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions.

— Mark 12:28-34 (ERV)

Comments on "Not Far from the Kingdom":

So Jesus said to the Jews that believed in him, "If you continue to obey my teaching, then you are truly my followers. Then you will know the truth. And the truth will make you free." —John 8:31-32 (ERV)

So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God. Don't change yourselves to be like the people of this world. But let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect. —Romans 12:1-2 (ERV)

Jesus answered, "If any person loves me, then he will obey my teaching. My Father will love that person. My Father and I will come to that person and live with him. —John 14:23 (ERV)