ARE YOU THERE YET?

Mark 12:28-34

²⁸ One of the scribes came near and heard them debating with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment takes priority over all of them?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; ³⁰ you will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’[1] ³¹ The second is this, ‘You will love your neighbour as yourself.’[2] There is no other commandment greater than these.” ³² Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; ³³ and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbour as oneself,’– this takes priority over all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴ When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

get there

The scribe in this scene is one of the rare bright spots among the religious leaders. He isn’t combative. He isn’t trying to trap Jesus. He asks honest questions, listens carefully, and recognizes truth when he hears it. He even affirms Jesus’ answer as faithful to Scripture. In so many ways, he is close—closer than most of his peers ever came.

And yet Jesus tells him he is not far from the kingdom. Close, but not inside. Near, but not surrendered. He has understanding, but not allegiance. He agrees with Jesus, but he has not yet entrusted himself to Jesus.

That distinction still matters. Many people admire Jesus. Many agree with His teachings. Many respect His wisdom, His compassion, His moral clarity. They stand near the kingdom, nodding along, appreciating the beauty of it. But admiration is not conversion. Agreement is not discipleship. Proximity is not surrender.

At some point, a person must step across the threshold. They must move from “Jesus is right” to “Jesus is Lord.” They must stop merely appreciating Him and begin following Him. That moment may be only inches away—one decision, one prayer, one surrender—but it is the difference between being near the kingdom and belonging to it.

Friend, if you find yourself close—if you know Jesus is true, if you sense His call, if you feel the tug of His kingdom—don’t linger at the edge. The step you take today will echo into eternity. You have to live for someone, and deep down you already know that living for yourself will never be enough.

LORD, help my friends who are close to Your kingdom to step fully into it.

[1] Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Joshua 22:5.

[2] Leviticus 19:18.