“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” Mark 12.32-34
What did Jesus mean when he said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God?” One of the teachers of the law agreed with Jesus’ assessment of what the greatest commandment was. And in doing so said to love God, other people, and one’s neighbor is “more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
This is when Jesus offers his momentous compliment to the man. And it silenced everyone else. “You are not far from the kingdom,” Jesus said. Did he offer any other such compliments to others in Scripture? This teacher of the law understood that to obey was better than to sacrifice. To love God was more important than just performing actions. All three of these subjects — God, others, and ourselves, are objects of love.
The man who was close to the Kingdom understood that love was central. And it’s not the kind of love that accepts all of people’s crazy cultural actions. It’s not that we love them for what they do — we love them because Christ first loved us without accepting our lifestyle. He loved us too much to leave us as sinners.
Being close to God’s kingdom means we love others well. It is then that we find ourselves not only close to God’s kingdom but in turn, close to God. I think what silenced people was that they realized they were in the presence of greatness.
When Jesus spoke, he spoke with authority and it shut up the mouths of those who would say evil. Jesus silenced his naysayers because of the authority and truth from which he spoke. Our goal is to love as Christ loved. He set that example for us by dying upon the cross for the sins of humankind. If Christ gave up his life for the sake of the world, can we do anything less?
“O Lord God, today is Mother’s Day. And though I didn’t write to talk about mothers, they help us define and shape love. For who is more loving than a mother for her children? And this love comes from the Lord. We can learn much about loving by looking at our mothers. Come now Holy Spirit, draw us toward your kingdom. Help us know that you are here and that you are near. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen