What did Jesus mean when told a scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God in Mark 12:34?
Mark 12:28 - 34
ESV - 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all? 29 Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
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Asked December 06 2013
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Anonymous
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JD Abshire
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I believe the answer is found in verse 33. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." The scribe became aware that he could not comply with the righteous demands of the law and yet these two requirements greatly exceeded the atoning ability of any offering or sacrifice. He realized something else was need. When Christ replied: "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." I believe The Lord was telling the scribe, you are almost there, you now realize you are lost and can not attain to it. The law has served its purpose. Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
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