Mark 12:34 - Homiletics

"Not far from the kingdom."

That this scribe should have shown so deep an admiration for the Divine Law, so clear a perception of the superiority of the spiritual to the ceremonial, so discerning an appreciation of the Divine Master,—all this was to his credit, and awakened the approval and elicited the commendation of our Lord. In the language Jesus addressed to him, a description is given of not a few hearers of the gospel, who present in their character much that is admirable, but who come short of true consecration to Christ, who are "not far from the kingdom of God." Of this class we may ask—

I. HOW NEAR HAVE THEY COME TO THE KINGDOM ?

1 . They have been, in many cases, brought near by the action of others. A Christian education and Christian influence have moulded their habits and improved a naturally well-inclined disposition.

2 . They are well acquainted with the truths of religion, have studied the Scriptures, and have mastered the doctrines as well as the facts they contain.

3 . They assent to the revelation contained in the Bible, either unreflectingly or after inquiry and doubt.

4 . They admire Christ's moral character and beneficent life, his pure teaching, and his purposes of compassion towards mankind.

5 . They conform to the practices of Christian worship, and even make use of the language of praise and prayer.

6 . They obey many of the laws of Christ, either from habit or from a conviction of their justice and expediency.

7 . They have had many desires, and may even have formed resolutions, to go further than this—to yield all to the Savior. Of such it may indeed be said, they are "not far from the kingdom of God."

II. HOW FAR ARE THEY STILL FROM THE KINGDOM ? Men may travel a long distance in the right direction, and yet may leave untraversed the last and most important stage of the journey. So is it with many hearers of the gospel.

1 . They may yet have to receive the gospel of Christ with their whole nature. The assent of the understanding must be followed by the consent of the will.

2 . They may yet have to surrender themselves and their all to Jesus. Men may give much, but withhold more. The test which our Lord proposes is a readiness to offer the heart, and with it all powers and possessions, unto himself. Less is not acceptable to him who claims, and has a right to, all.

3 . They may need to overcome much self-righteousness, self-confidence, self-seeking, before their state of mind is such as to enable them to accept the terms of Heaven: "Except ye become as little children," etc.

III. HOW SHOULD THOSE SO SITUATED NOW ACT ?

1 . They should reflect how vain is past progress except it lead to future consecration.

2 . They should rejoice at the thought that their approach to the kingdom makes it easier for them to enter in. All their knowledge, good feelings, and partial obedience are so many steps upon the road, leaving the fewer to be taken in order to salvation.

3 . They should remind themselves how unwise and dangerous and sinful it is to pause where they are. "It is the first step which costs;" and it is the last step which pays! Why should not that last step be taken at once? True repentance, sincere faith, cordial surrender, the new birth,—such are the descriptions given of the change yet to pass over those who are not far from the kingdom, in order that they may enter it. Illustrations: The builder rears the arch of a bridge; the keystone has yet to be placed; if that be left undone a storm may rise, the river may swell, his work may be swept away, and all that has been done may count for nothing. The traveler exploring a continent may endure many hardships and perils, may come within a day's march of the vast lake of which he hopes to be the discoverer: shall he turn back? The manslayer, pursued by the avenger of blood, may be within sight of the city of refuge: to pause is to be slain; to summon up all his strength and to bound forward is to find himself safely within the protecting walls. The captain, the adventurous explorer, after a long voyage over unknown seas, sights the land of which he has dreamed: shall he give orders to put about the ship, and abandon the glorious discovery within its reach, and all the honor, wealth, and fame which now at length await him?