Daily Devotional – Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Mark 12:34, NKJV
The scribe had been listening to Jesus, and when Jesus asked which commandment mattered most, he gave an answer that caught Jesus’ attention. He spoke about loving God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and about loving his neighbour as himself. Jesus listened carefully and said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” That was more than praise for a good answer. Jesus had seen something in the man worth noticing.
You Are Not Far From the Kingdom of God
The moment becomes more interesting when you look at what had happened before this conversation. Jesus had been answering questions from religious leaders who wanted to test Him. The scribe had heard those exchanges and then asked his own question about the first commandment. Jesus pointed him to the Scriptures, and the scribe agreed with Him. He knew that love for God and love for others was better than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus could see that the man had grasped the heart of what He was saying.
Think about Jesus’ response for a moment. The scribe had listened to Jesus, understood the Scriptures, and recognised what mattered most to God. In Mark, Jesus regularly spoke about the kingdom of God and called people to respond to God’s rule. This scribe had come close because he understood the heart of God’s commandments. Jesus saw that understanding and told him plainly that he was near the kingdom.
You Are Closer Than You Think
Mark leaves the scene there. We do not learn what the scribe did after Jesus spoke those words, and the text gives us no reason to fill that silence with our own conclusion. What we do know is enough. This man had listened carefully, answered wisely, and recognised the deep connection between love for God and love for people. Jesus acknowledged that understanding and placed the scribe near the kingdom.
You may know the right thing to do today, and perhaps you already know exactly what God is asking of you. Someone may need your patience, your forgiveness, your attention, or simply a kind word from you. Do not let that knowledge remain in your head. Act on it while you can. Love God in the way you treat people, especially when nobody notices. Let what you believe become visible in the ordinary moments of your day. Even if you have finite knowledge, you are closer to God’s kingdom than you think.
Prayer
My Maker and my King, help me notice the people and situations where I need to show more love. Empower me to respond in a way that shows that Your love is working within me.
