Scripture
Realising how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Observation
Hearing how well Jesus had answered the question from the Sadducees, a teacher of religious law asks Jesus which is the most important commandment.

Jesus replies by saying the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus adds a second equally important law to love your neighbour as you love yourself.

The leader replies that he understands that loving God and loving your neighbour are more important than all the sacrifices and burnt offerings.

Jesus sees the man’s heart and says that he is not far from the kingdom of God.

Application
Many rabbis tried to condense the entirety of the law to just a few key commandments. Jesus says there are just two – to love God with all your heart and your strength and to love your neighbour as you love yourself.

Faith is not about following rules and regulations, sacrifices and offerings. No, it is about our love for God. If we love God, we must also love people, who carry the image of God.

The teacher of the law saw this. He saw that the law of Moses was meant to show us how the love of God plays out in the life of the nation. Jesus said that because of this, he was not far from the kingdom.

Listen
Lord, what do you want to say to me about this passage?

Keith, it is my love that makes it possible for people to carry out these commandments. When a person receives and knows my love, then they know how to love me back and how to love others.

The reason why some people fall down in this area of love is that they never receive my love in the first place.

Be baptised in my love. Submerge, immerse and absorb my love. Let my love transform your heart and mind.