S - Mark
12:32-34 (NIV): ""Well said, teacher," the man replied. “You are
right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with
all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to
love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and
sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him,
"You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one
dared ask him any more questions."
O - The
truth is it is always "wise" to side with Jesus. So why was the Lord so affirming of this
man? I don't think it was from the
information agreed upon but rather the depth of agreement … agreement by heart
and life not just thought and theology. This stands in stark contrast to the
religious leaders who would agree theologically but not by their daily lives.
According to this passage it seems that it is the agreement of life which
brings and keeps one near. Jesus does more than affirm the man's conclusion; he
identifies his life as one which is "not far" from the kingdom of
God.
A - I
don't know how far the man had yet to go to enter but I am sure that being near
is better than far away. The question for me with regard to all the words of
Jesus is: Am I, in any given day or setting, primarily agreeing with Jesus by
theology or by life? According to the announced "final exam" (Matthew
25) agreement by life carries the day over agreement by theology. I want to be one who comes near and stays
near … entering and remaining according to grace and the child-likeness heaven
loves.
P - Lord
who is truth,
Thank you for wanting us near
and making being near possible for whoever would come. I praise you for wanting us at our worst and
for refusing to stop loving us no matter what.
On this day I want to agree with you by my life, not just my theological
conclusions. Please cause your life to
come into me and to flow, splash or at least leach out of me for the blessing
and good of those I am with and will be with.
Jesus, I do love you back and I am so grateful to belong to you not only
by right but by grace.
Relying on you,
Steve
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