THERE IS A VAST DISTANCE FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN, the dwelling place of God. It is different from the measurement in light years from our world to the furthest points of light that Hubble or JWT have collected, collated, and correlated. Similarly, there is a great difference between nominal Christians and disciples of Jesus.
Nominal Christians know about him; his disciples know him. Nominal Christians may be able to quote what he said, exegete and teach scripture, even preach about Jesus. His disciples have heard him say, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15) Nominal Christians have their hearts and hopes set on the things of this world. His disciples “listen to his voice” (John 1o:3b), “tremble at his word” (Isa. 66:2b), and “pick up our cross daily and follow him.” (Luke 9:23)
The gospels of Matthew and Mark both tell the story of Jesus answering a Pharisee scribes’ question. There is a distinct tonal difference in the telling of the incident. In Matthew’s version, the question is an inquiry; in Mark’s version it is softer, a query. The first is an interrogation, the second is an honest dialogue. The question is essentially the same in both versions: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matt. 22:36; c.f. Mark 12:28c) Jesus’ answer is the same: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matt. 22:37:39, c.f. Mark 12:30-31) In the Matthew version, this ends the retelling. In Mark’s version, some different layers of interaction are included.
Mark’s Pharisee happens to overhear a debate between Jesus and other Pharisees. He listens, observes Jesus’ answers to them, and then comes over to Jesus. He follows up on the earlier debate at this point, asking the ‘greatest commandment’ question. Jesus answers him by first quoting the Schema: “The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Mark 12:29) He follows this with the earlier-noted response. In this version, the Pharisee accords Jesus respect, saying “Well said, teacher.” (Mark 12:32) He then reiterates the two linked commands, and observes, “(these) are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33c)
The respect becomes mutual. “When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’” (Mark 12:34) Our own focus shifts. “Wait a minute. Jesus is always debating the Pharisees in opposition. This is different; what’s happening?”
We must give the Pharisees their due. Ezra and Nehemiah were used by God after the Babylonian diaspora of the 5 th Century B.C. to not only rebuild the temple, but also the broken walls around the entire holy city of Jerusalem. The returned/returning citizen-priests of the restored city and re-emerging nation became committed to strictly following the laws of God—their determination was driven by desire to never be cast from the land again. This is when the Pharisee sect began and from there developed into a powerful religious institution. Some 400 years later, in Jesus’ time, this is their primary core value. And for almost all of them, Jesus is heretical, a blasphemer of scripture, a danger to their way of life.
Yet here is an honest Pharisee. There are others; Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea come to mind. Perhaps there were many more not recorded in the scriptures. This one is a scribe—one who is an expert in Jewish theology and is “a teacher of the Law.” (Mark 12:28a) He has spent a major portion of his life learning the Torah, and he is totally dedicated to it. Because of the interaction with Jesus, we get a sense that he actually practices what he preaches.
And in the Torah, firmly embedded, are some 312 prophecies about the Messiah who would eventually come, and all that this would mean. This well-studied Pharisee would be familiar with such prophecies. Today, he has met the Messiah… but he does not recognize him as such. He sees Jesus as someone like himself, who thoroughly understands the Law. ‘Well said, teacher,’ he comments.
Jesus responds, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ But how far is he, this Pharisee? How do we measure such a distance? Someone who attempts to jump over a chasm need only be a half-inch short to fall into its depths. We know nothing more about this Pharisee, how his story turns out. Sensing Jesus’ tenderness towards him, we pray him well. Perhaps he became one of those priests who believed in Jesus after his resurrection.
Heaven. How far away is it, and how does someone get there? This is the mystery of all the ages, but it is clear to followers of Jesus. Our understanding starts with Jesus’ own preaching, and his voice continues echoing down the corridors of time: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
Q. Do I know Jesus, or only know about him?
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