A Three-fer!

Mark 12
28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”
34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

I love this passage for several reasons: First, Jesus lays it out for us. We are to love God and love people with everything we’ve got. That’s how Christ Followers are to live. PERIOD. Second, being not far from the Kingdom is still not being in the Kingdom, so don’t be fooled by the wording here. I don’t take it as a commendation, but rather a condemnation of the guy who thinks he is so smart. It is not your wits, nor your smarts that gets you into God’s Kingdom, it is JESUS! Third, once again Jesus shuts the mouths of those who wanted to “trap” Him. How sweet!