2025, The Kingdom Of God That Is So Near, Yet So Far
Special
Author
Admin
Date
2025-03-16 16:07
Views
40
The Kingdom Of God That Is So Near, Yet So Far
Mark 12:28-34
Today’s passage is a story of a person who seems to so near, yet so far from the kingdom of God.
First, do you know you are in the kingdom of God?
The scribe in the text was praised by Jesus. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” There are people who are far from the kingdom of God because they do not move toward the kingdom of God at all, but this person is close to the kingdom of God.
However, the first key point is that he is still not in the kingdom of God. Martin Lloyd Jones said, “If you are not sure whether you are in the kingdom of God or not, I would say that you are not a Christian and you are outside of the kingdom of God.” The teaching of the Bible is that everyone is either in the kingdom of God or outside of it.
Second, in terms of their relationship to the kingdom of God, each person has a different position.
The Lord said to the teacher of the law, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Therefore, the positions of those who are outside of the kingdom of God can be different.
For example, the Jews were close to the kingdom of God because of their ancestors’ faith and the law of God. On the other hand, the Gentiles were as far away from the kingdom of God as possible because of their idol worship.
Even now, people are in different positions in their relationship with the kingdom of God. There are people who have never thought about the kingdom of God. They have never read the Bible. They have no interest in Jesus Christ, man’s soul, eternal life and judgment of hell. They live a life that can be seen everywhere around them.
On the other hand, there are people who are interested in the kingdom of God. They read the Bible and attend worship service. They are in a similar position to the teacher of the law in this passage. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Third, he is still outside of the kingdom of God.
The teacher of the law came to Jesus, listened to His teachings attentively, asked questions and answered. He must have been opened minded having learning heart and spiritual thirst. Nevertheless, he is outside of the kingdom of God. In fact, it is shocking that a person is so close to the kingdom of God but has no salvation because he is still outside of it.
Therefore, it is not advantageous for someone to be close to the kingdom of God. If you ask, “Pastor, does that mean that a person who is near the kingdom of God has no advantage over a person who is very far from it?” The answer is “yes.”
We say, “Look at that person. He lives wickedly. He doesn’t think about God at all. But I am different. I am interested in the kingdom of God. I study the Bible and attend church service. At least, I am close to the door of the kingdom of God.” However, what advantage would you have at the last day if you are just close to the kingdom of God? You are no different from someone who is very far from the kingdom of God.
The scribe is so close to the kingdom of God, yet so far away from it. Therefore, you must seriously hear a question, “Do you know that you are in the kingdom of God?”
Part 2, why did the Lord say to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God?” Jesus liked this man in some ways. Verse 34 says, “When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely.” Here ‘wisely’ can be translated as intelligently. The Lord tells him that he has an intellectual understanding or interest toward the kingdom of God.
In this age of science, people say that those who unilaterally accept and believe the Bible are not intelligent. “Look, we have science. We rely on human logic and reason. But look at those who simply accept Bible. They are too simple. They do not use their intelligence (reason).” Still they spend most of their time in “What should I eat? Where should I invest? Where should I go to have fun? What movie should I watch?” In contrast, we ponder deeply about life and death, meaning and purpose, resurrection and eternal glory as we read and study the Bible. That is why the Lord praised this scribe who used his intelligence given by God wisely. How did this scribe use his intelligence?
First, he was not hostile to the Lord.
Most of the Pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders at that time came to Jesus to try to find faults from his teachings. They did not come to get help or learn from Jesus. They came to prove that they were superior to Jesus and smarter than him. But this scribe did not come to the Lord with a clever question to trap him or criticize Him. Instead, he opened his heart to learne from Jesus’ teachings. He used his intelligence and reasoning properly.
Second, he acknowledged the Lord.
Verse 28a says, “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.” The scribe attentively listened to the debating between the Lord and the others. And, he said to himself, “Wow! This is truly a great man. He is only a carpenter, but he has wonderful insight. I want to learn from him continually. He can tell me something.” The Lord praised him for this.
Furthermore, the scribe acknowledged the Lord’s teaching. Verse 28b says, “Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer.” When the Lord taught about Christian doctrines, including resurrection and judgment, he said to himself, “He is outstanding in the Scriptures. His teaching and doctrine are really sound. I like his interpretation of the Scriptures.” He loved the interpretation of Jesus. He acknowledged the Lord.
And he went one step further and asked the Lord. “Of all the commandments (613), which is the most important?” At that time, it was a very controversial issue. Jesus answered, “The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbors as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Here is wisdom and meaning of life. The most important law is to love God first and love yourself and love your neighbors. Now the big question is, “how can man love God and others like you?” Can you?
A bowl is to receive water or something. Likewise, man is like a bowl. Man is supposed to receive love. Those who receive love can love others. Man can love God and others when they receive love from God. Romans 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Everyone is a boul. When you receive small love, small love comes from you. When you receive big love, big love comes from you.
We cannot give anything that we do not possess. We can give what we have. So, those who have no wisdom cannot guide others. Those who have no money cannot give it to others. Before giving, we first have to receive. Therefore, be a big boul. Receive love of God abundantly. And find your own value. To heal you, restore you and save you, Jesus shed his blood on the cross. Jesus says that you are more valuable than the whole world. When you receive love God and find your value, you can love God more than anything else and love others like you.
Now, let’s listen to the scribe’s reply. “Well said, teacher. To love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” The scribe knew that relying on the form of religion, that is, “all burnt offerings and sacrifices,” was useless.
The Jews believed in God, but they continued to sin; proud, greedy, sensual and hypocritical. Then they rationalized, “I have sinned, but no problem. If I just give the burnt offerings, everything will be okay. When I go to church and worship and pray, I will be cleansed. When I do a few good deeds or donate some money, I can be cleansed from my evil deeds.” This is the burnt offering and sacrifices. This is a foolish and ignorant religious act.
People think that they can manipulate and control God. They believe that if they come to God’s house and offer sacrifices occasionally, they will be clean and happy again. But the scribe did not think like that. He knew that God is not someone whom man can manipulate in this way. The scribe had a spiritual understanding of the law. So the Lord said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But he is still outside of the kingdom of God. Why?
First, it is because his interest is theoretical and intellectual.
He acknowledged Jesus. “Look! He is truly amazing. I have never seen such a person in my life. He has profound and outstanding insight. His biblical knowledge and interpretation are so amazing. I must continue to ask him and learn from him.” So he asked the Lord, “Sir, what is the greatest commandment? I know what my fellow scribes and Pharisees say. But I think they miss the point. I want to hear from you.”
I have met some people like him. They want to learn the Bible. But that is all. Their interest stops at the intellectual or theoretical level. Sometimes they just want to sooth their emptiness, guilt and fear of judgment through the Bible. This is a terrible thing. If you like Bible study or like to listen to sermon, that is good. However, if you stop at the knowledge but do not practice, obey, and experience the presence of God, it is dead knowledge and such knowledge can never make you enter the kingdom of God. Some people read and study the Bible, but like the scribes, they stop there. This is why he is outside of the kingdom of God.
Second, his entire attention was focused on the most important commandment of the law, but he did not ask more important question, “Have I kept the law?” He agreed with Jesus’ teaching that the most important commandment is to love God and love one’s neighbor, but unfortunately he stopped there. This is tragic.
Today, we must ask, “Am I practicing, obeying, and living according to what I have learned from the Bible?” The word of God (the law) is given for us not just to know intellectually, but also obey and experience God. Romans 2:13 says, “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” The scribe failed miserably in this regard.
Do you like Bible study? Do you love listen to sermon? God bless you! Then do you obey the word of God? The scribe had intellectual thirst, curiosity and understanding in God’s law and agreed with Jesus’ teachings, but he did not practice. He did not repent at all.
Third, how can then he enters the kingdom of God?
First of all, he should admit and confess that he has failed to keep the law. “Sir, I have failed to keep the most important law of God. Now, I know I must stand before the eternal judgment seat of God. I am ashamed and afraid. Sir, what should I do?” But he did not ask this question. He did not realize who Jesus Christ was and why He came to this world. He did not realize or acknowledge his helplessness and sin while studying the Bible. If he had known that he was under the wrath of God and excluded from the life of God, he would have realized his need and cried out to the Lord for help.
“Sir, have mercy on me. I have studied the law, but I have not kept the law. I have not loved God more than anything else. And I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I have no power to do these because of my self-seeking and selfish nature. I cannot do it by my own strength. Please help me.”
Are we not all like him? Do we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? Do we love our neighbors as ourselves?” Because of sin within us, we cannot do so. Therefore, we are lost. We must keep the law to enter the kingdom of God, but we have neither kept the law of God nor have strength to keep it. The price of breaking the law is death and judgment. What on earth should we do? How can we enter the kingdom of God?
The answer is in Galatians 4:4-5. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Jesus, the Son of God, became a human and kept the law perfectly. This is the purpose of Jesus coming to this earth. The punishment for man breaking the law is death and judgment.
However, Jesus died on the cross in our place to receive the punishment that we deserve for our sins. The result is Isaiah 53:6. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” He bore my sins and yours on the cross shedding his blood. On the cross, he prayed to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” As a result, the demands of the law were met, and through faith in Jesus, God freely forgives us. This is God who loves you and me.
The scribe did not believe this. He did not realize that the only way to enter the kingdom of God is to repent his sins and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
One day, we all will be asked at the final judgment. “Have you loved God more than anything else? Have you loved your neighbor as yourself?” All achievements you and I have done on earth are useless in letting us enter God’s eternal kingdom. These things are not what God wants from you. God wants your love; whole heart, soul, mind and strength. God wants you to love your neighbors.
Now, there is only one way to enter the kingdom of God. Romans 10:4 says, “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Do you believe Jesus as your Savior and serve God in Him through worship, prayer and gospel work? If so, you are now in the kingdom of God. If not, you are outside of the kingdom of God whether you like Bible study or not and whether you attend worship service or not. If you die in that state, you will face eternal tragedy. Therefore, do not stop at biblical knowledge. Instead, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. And serve the will of God.
Mark 12:28-34
Today’s passage is a story of a person who seems to so near, yet so far from the kingdom of God.
First, do you know you are in the kingdom of God?
The scribe in the text was praised by Jesus. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” There are people who are far from the kingdom of God because they do not move toward the kingdom of God at all, but this person is close to the kingdom of God.
However, the first key point is that he is still not in the kingdom of God. Martin Lloyd Jones said, “If you are not sure whether you are in the kingdom of God or not, I would say that you are not a Christian and you are outside of the kingdom of God.” The teaching of the Bible is that everyone is either in the kingdom of God or outside of it.
Second, in terms of their relationship to the kingdom of God, each person has a different position.
The Lord said to the teacher of the law, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Therefore, the positions of those who are outside of the kingdom of God can be different.
For example, the Jews were close to the kingdom of God because of their ancestors’ faith and the law of God. On the other hand, the Gentiles were as far away from the kingdom of God as possible because of their idol worship.
Even now, people are in different positions in their relationship with the kingdom of God. There are people who have never thought about the kingdom of God. They have never read the Bible. They have no interest in Jesus Christ, man’s soul, eternal life and judgment of hell. They live a life that can be seen everywhere around them.
On the other hand, there are people who are interested in the kingdom of God. They read the Bible and attend worship service. They are in a similar position to the teacher of the law in this passage. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Third, he is still outside of the kingdom of God.
The teacher of the law came to Jesus, listened to His teachings attentively, asked questions and answered. He must have been opened minded having learning heart and spiritual thirst. Nevertheless, he is outside of the kingdom of God. In fact, it is shocking that a person is so close to the kingdom of God but has no salvation because he is still outside of it.
Therefore, it is not advantageous for someone to be close to the kingdom of God. If you ask, “Pastor, does that mean that a person who is near the kingdom of God has no advantage over a person who is very far from it?” The answer is “yes.”
We say, “Look at that person. He lives wickedly. He doesn’t think about God at all. But I am different. I am interested in the kingdom of God. I study the Bible and attend church service. At least, I am close to the door of the kingdom of God.” However, what advantage would you have at the last day if you are just close to the kingdom of God? You are no different from someone who is very far from the kingdom of God.
The scribe is so close to the kingdom of God, yet so far away from it. Therefore, you must seriously hear a question, “Do you know that you are in the kingdom of God?”
Part 2, why did the Lord say to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God?” Jesus liked this man in some ways. Verse 34 says, “When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely.” Here ‘wisely’ can be translated as intelligently. The Lord tells him that he has an intellectual understanding or interest toward the kingdom of God.
In this age of science, people say that those who unilaterally accept and believe the Bible are not intelligent. “Look, we have science. We rely on human logic and reason. But look at those who simply accept Bible. They are too simple. They do not use their intelligence (reason).” Still they spend most of their time in “What should I eat? Where should I invest? Where should I go to have fun? What movie should I watch?” In contrast, we ponder deeply about life and death, meaning and purpose, resurrection and eternal glory as we read and study the Bible. That is why the Lord praised this scribe who used his intelligence given by God wisely. How did this scribe use his intelligence?
First, he was not hostile to the Lord.
Most of the Pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders at that time came to Jesus to try to find faults from his teachings. They did not come to get help or learn from Jesus. They came to prove that they were superior to Jesus and smarter than him. But this scribe did not come to the Lord with a clever question to trap him or criticize Him. Instead, he opened his heart to learne from Jesus’ teachings. He used his intelligence and reasoning properly.
Second, he acknowledged the Lord.
Verse 28a says, “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.” The scribe attentively listened to the debating between the Lord and the others. And, he said to himself, “Wow! This is truly a great man. He is only a carpenter, but he has wonderful insight. I want to learn from him continually. He can tell me something.” The Lord praised him for this.
Furthermore, the scribe acknowledged the Lord’s teaching. Verse 28b says, “Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer.” When the Lord taught about Christian doctrines, including resurrection and judgment, he said to himself, “He is outstanding in the Scriptures. His teaching and doctrine are really sound. I like his interpretation of the Scriptures.” He loved the interpretation of Jesus. He acknowledged the Lord.
And he went one step further and asked the Lord. “Of all the commandments (613), which is the most important?” At that time, it was a very controversial issue. Jesus answered, “The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbors as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Here is wisdom and meaning of life. The most important law is to love God first and love yourself and love your neighbors. Now the big question is, “how can man love God and others like you?” Can you?
A bowl is to receive water or something. Likewise, man is like a bowl. Man is supposed to receive love. Those who receive love can love others. Man can love God and others when they receive love from God. Romans 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Everyone is a boul. When you receive small love, small love comes from you. When you receive big love, big love comes from you.
We cannot give anything that we do not possess. We can give what we have. So, those who have no wisdom cannot guide others. Those who have no money cannot give it to others. Before giving, we first have to receive. Therefore, be a big boul. Receive love of God abundantly. And find your own value. To heal you, restore you and save you, Jesus shed his blood on the cross. Jesus says that you are more valuable than the whole world. When you receive love God and find your value, you can love God more than anything else and love others like you.
Now, let’s listen to the scribe’s reply. “Well said, teacher. To love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” The scribe knew that relying on the form of religion, that is, “all burnt offerings and sacrifices,” was useless.
The Jews believed in God, but they continued to sin; proud, greedy, sensual and hypocritical. Then they rationalized, “I have sinned, but no problem. If I just give the burnt offerings, everything will be okay. When I go to church and worship and pray, I will be cleansed. When I do a few good deeds or donate some money, I can be cleansed from my evil deeds.” This is the burnt offering and sacrifices. This is a foolish and ignorant religious act.
People think that they can manipulate and control God. They believe that if they come to God’s house and offer sacrifices occasionally, they will be clean and happy again. But the scribe did not think like that. He knew that God is not someone whom man can manipulate in this way. The scribe had a spiritual understanding of the law. So the Lord said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But he is still outside of the kingdom of God. Why?
First, it is because his interest is theoretical and intellectual.
He acknowledged Jesus. “Look! He is truly amazing. I have never seen such a person in my life. He has profound and outstanding insight. His biblical knowledge and interpretation are so amazing. I must continue to ask him and learn from him.” So he asked the Lord, “Sir, what is the greatest commandment? I know what my fellow scribes and Pharisees say. But I think they miss the point. I want to hear from you.”
I have met some people like him. They want to learn the Bible. But that is all. Their interest stops at the intellectual or theoretical level. Sometimes they just want to sooth their emptiness, guilt and fear of judgment through the Bible. This is a terrible thing. If you like Bible study or like to listen to sermon, that is good. However, if you stop at the knowledge but do not practice, obey, and experience the presence of God, it is dead knowledge and such knowledge can never make you enter the kingdom of God. Some people read and study the Bible, but like the scribes, they stop there. This is why he is outside of the kingdom of God.
Second, his entire attention was focused on the most important commandment of the law, but he did not ask more important question, “Have I kept the law?” He agreed with Jesus’ teaching that the most important commandment is to love God and love one’s neighbor, but unfortunately he stopped there. This is tragic.
Today, we must ask, “Am I practicing, obeying, and living according to what I have learned from the Bible?” The word of God (the law) is given for us not just to know intellectually, but also obey and experience God. Romans 2:13 says, “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” The scribe failed miserably in this regard.
Do you like Bible study? Do you love listen to sermon? God bless you! Then do you obey the word of God? The scribe had intellectual thirst, curiosity and understanding in God’s law and agreed with Jesus’ teachings, but he did not practice. He did not repent at all.
Third, how can then he enters the kingdom of God?
First of all, he should admit and confess that he has failed to keep the law. “Sir, I have failed to keep the most important law of God. Now, I know I must stand before the eternal judgment seat of God. I am ashamed and afraid. Sir, what should I do?” But he did not ask this question. He did not realize who Jesus Christ was and why He came to this world. He did not realize or acknowledge his helplessness and sin while studying the Bible. If he had known that he was under the wrath of God and excluded from the life of God, he would have realized his need and cried out to the Lord for help.
“Sir, have mercy on me. I have studied the law, but I have not kept the law. I have not loved God more than anything else. And I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I have no power to do these because of my self-seeking and selfish nature. I cannot do it by my own strength. Please help me.”
Are we not all like him? Do we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? Do we love our neighbors as ourselves?” Because of sin within us, we cannot do so. Therefore, we are lost. We must keep the law to enter the kingdom of God, but we have neither kept the law of God nor have strength to keep it. The price of breaking the law is death and judgment. What on earth should we do? How can we enter the kingdom of God?
The answer is in Galatians 4:4-5. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Jesus, the Son of God, became a human and kept the law perfectly. This is the purpose of Jesus coming to this earth. The punishment for man breaking the law is death and judgment.
However, Jesus died on the cross in our place to receive the punishment that we deserve for our sins. The result is Isaiah 53:6. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” He bore my sins and yours on the cross shedding his blood. On the cross, he prayed to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” As a result, the demands of the law were met, and through faith in Jesus, God freely forgives us. This is God who loves you and me.
The scribe did not believe this. He did not realize that the only way to enter the kingdom of God is to repent his sins and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
One day, we all will be asked at the final judgment. “Have you loved God more than anything else? Have you loved your neighbor as yourself?” All achievements you and I have done on earth are useless in letting us enter God’s eternal kingdom. These things are not what God wants from you. God wants your love; whole heart, soul, mind and strength. God wants you to love your neighbors.
Now, there is only one way to enter the kingdom of God. Romans 10:4 says, “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Do you believe Jesus as your Savior and serve God in Him through worship, prayer and gospel work? If so, you are now in the kingdom of God. If not, you are outside of the kingdom of God whether you like Bible study or not and whether you attend worship service or not. If you die in that state, you will face eternal tragedy. Therefore, do not stop at biblical knowledge. Instead, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. And serve the will of God.