One More Step Toward Love
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One More Step Toward Love
Mark 12:28-34 (NIV)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this:
'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
The second is this:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"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 to ask him any more questions.
Our Journey in Mark
Looking back on our journey through Mark's Gospel this year, we've seen the scope of Jesus' ministry as he taught the crowds, healed the sick, fed the hungry and announced the kingdom of God. As his popularity increased and his message seemed to take hold, Jesus faced increasing opposition from Jerusalem's religious leaders. Even in the last week of his life, these religious authorities would conspire to silence the Nazarene.
However, in this passage we encounter a different scene. We see a moment, not of angry argument, but of genuine connection between Jesus and a sincere teacher of the law. Their exchange reminds us that when we seek in love, our search leads us to the One who is Love.
Standing at the Threshold
Throughout history, there have been moments when one step marked the difference between anticipation and accomplishment. July 20, 1969, was one of those moments.
American astronaut Neil Armstrong stood at the open door of the lunar module Eagle, which had just touched down on the surface of the moon.
Behind him lay years of scientific advancement, countless hours of training, and mankind's age-old dream of reaching the moon.
Before him stretched the moon's landscape, untouched by human feet.
In the pause before his historic step, Armstrong stood "not far" from his destination. But "not far" isn't there yet. He needed to take that final, unparalleled step.
As he descended the ladder and his foot touched the lunar surface, Armstrong spoke words now etched in history:
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
And with that, Armstrong stepped onto the dusty surface of the moon. That single step bridged the timeless gap between dreams and destiny for millions.
A Different Kind of Seeker
Now, go back about 2,000 years before the moon landing to glimpse another moment filled with possibility. We're in the last week of Jesus' earthly ministry. He is in Jerusalem where religious leaders are trying to thwart his threat to their power and prestige.
Waves of Pharisees and similar religious bigshots have confronted Jesus, trying to trap or test him. But while the acrid smell of their hostility still hangs in the air, another religious leader comes to Jesus seeking wisdom.
Although we do not know his name, he is simply called "a teacher of the law."
As a teacher of the law, this man lived to help ordinary people serve God. Teachers of the law, unlike wealthy priests or strict Pharisees, toiled in the trenches of life alongside everyday folks. These biblical scholars-with-a-heart addressed real world struggles, encouraging their flocks with practical spiritual guidance.
When this teacher of the law overheard Jesus wisely responding to hostile challengers, his heart raced with joy.
“Finally,” he must have thought, “here is a rabbi who teaches what I believe!”
And what he believed was this -- real faith isn't rigid rules or ritual sacrifices, but love - first, for God, then for neighbor.
A Moment of Recognition
When our teacher of the law approached Jesus, it wasn't to debate him. No, he sought a moment of spiritual kinship with Jesus.
He must have been thirsty for a conversation with a like-minded rabbi because in his enthusiasm he quickly affirms Jesus' answer that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. But then, eager to add his own insight, the teacher boldly states that this whole-hearted love of God and neighbor is more important than Temple sacrifices.
Radical as that sounds it wasn't a new idea. The prophet Hosea had proclaimed the same idea hundreds of years before. But love, rather than ritual or rules, seemed revolutionary to the religious elites who profited from the Temple system.
Of course, Jesus knew that this teacher of the law was different from the others. After listening to him thoughtfully, Jesus looked at him. Then Jesus gently said to this teacher of the law something he had not said to any other religious leader –
"You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Jesus' response was both an indication of the teacher's understanding, and an invitation for him to take the next step.
Like Neil Armstrong poised to set foot on the moon, this teacher stood at a pivotal point. His love for God and others had brought him to Jesus. Now he just needed to take one more step toward Jesus -- the One who embodied the love he embraced.
The Final Step
Armstrong's historic step made him the first man on the moon, changing history forever. But even more significant is our step of faith when we acknowledge that God's love sent Jesus into the world to save us.
Unfortunately, Mark's Gospel doesn't tell us what became of the teacher of the law. We know he was a man who was "not far from the kingdom of God." My holy hunch is that he did take one more step toward Jesus. And as he took that one step, he made a giant leap into the kingdom of God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting us in our seeking. Help us recognize you as the one who perfectly embodies the love we're called to live. Give us courage to take that one step from recognition to embrace. Amen.
Reflections for the Week Ahead
Monday: Have you ever met someone who was on the same spiritual wavelength you were? How did being with them make you feel?
Tuesday: List 3 ways Jesus embodies the perfect union of love for God and neighbor.
Wednesday: Think about ways you can help others understand God's priorities, as this teacher did.
Thursday: Consider how love and sacrifice come together in Jesus' life and death.
Friday: Meditate on what "step" Jesus might be inviting you to take today.
Saturday: Thank God for meeting you in your journey of faith and understanding.
