Mark 12:28-34
28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
It's not very often that we give the religious leaders a good reputation in the gospels. We always want to point to their doubt, their disbelief, or the inability to follow Christ. I think we do this to remind ourselves of Christ's invitation to follow. If we can simply demonize our opponents and strip them of their humanity, then it makes it easier not to love them. At least, not to love them as much as we love ourselves.
There is a humility required to admit when one is wrong, but also to recognize good teaching when one hears it. The scribe knows good teaching from the Good Shepherd when he hears it. Then, he adds something to his praise of Jesus' answer, "to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." This scribe has put together the instructions given to God's chosen people, Israel, with the fulfillment of Christ's proclamation. And yet, this was not the highest achievement that he could reach.
In Mark's gospel, we do not see Jesus praising this scribe. Jesus simply tells him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." In other words, "You still have work to do." Chances are you are reading this out of choice. A choice to know God's will and to do good. But take comfort in Jesus' words to the scribe. There is always more to do, but to those who are on the path of discipleship, we are never far from the kingdom of God.
Prayer: God, surround me with your steadfast love as we move ever closer to your kingdom with your grace. Amen.
G. Thomas Martin
