August 2023

The following is a possible framework for the Witnessing of the Word. It can be personalised or altered: its purpose is to serve as an example of how this Saying might be used primarily in the context of a Prayer Group, but it may be used by individuals too. It is not intended to be definitive.  In the context of a group: the periods of silence should be appropriate for your group - probably not less than 5 minutes, or more than 15 minutes.

Saying for the month: ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12.34). In your time of contemplation, you may like to shorten this to ‘You are not far from the kingdom’.

To begin the exercise, first spend a short while in relaxation and preparing to be still; you may want to relax your way through your muscles or you may find it helpful to become aware of the sounds around you and then put them aside as you offer this time of prayer to God.

Say this introductory invitation to prayer, then keep a further minute or two of silence:  ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11.28).

Introduction to the first silence - a preparation for listening with the mind:

‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12.34)

From Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem recorded at the start of Mark 11, there are not many moments of joy in the following chapters.  Our saying here is one of them.

Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees gang up to trap Jesus and find ways to stop him.  No wonder Jesus says to them (Mark 12.24) ‘You know neither the scriptures nor the power of God’.  Their hearts are set on murder (Mark 11.18).  Jesus, able to see into the heart, maybe feeling for his questioner as he felt in Mark 10.21 for the rich young ruler, looking at him and loving him, must have warmed to the scribe approaching him with a serious question: ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’  His reply is a direct quote from the scriptures that the religious leaders must surely have known, but clearly chose to ignore.  Linking Deuteronomy 6.4-5 and Leviticus 19.18, Jesus tells his questioners: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart … and your neighbour as yourself”.

The response from the scribe is a bold one, given the surrounding company: ‘You are right, Teacher’, he says, recognising truth and authority.  His background would have meant involvement with burnt offerings and sacrifices, but somehow today he understands.

Maybe he remembers scriptures like 1 Sam 15.22: ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’, or Micah 6.8 where God’s requirement is set out: ‘Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God’. Whatever informs his words, his reply to Jesus is spot on: Love is much more important than burnt offerings and sacrifices.

The questioning scribe demonstrates a grasp of scripture in a way that Jesus’ accusers didn’t.  True religion shows steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6.6).

Hatred and fear of losing control have darkened the minds of the religious authorities.  They have lost the plot, forgotten their responsibility as spiritual guides and ignored their covenant calling to bring blessing to God’s people.  They seem prepared to manipulate truth, maybe seeking a feel-good boost to their own self-worth.

Listening to the scribe’s reply, Jesus commends him, using our saying for August: ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’, he is told.

The expected kingdom of God at the time was a political kingdom in which land and culture had been restored and enemies defeated.  Such a different concept from the words recorded in Luke 17.21 where Jesus says: ‘The kingdom of God is within (or among) you’.  Such a challenging idea must have flummoxed most of his listeners.  Rather than commending ever-increasing rules to follow in the Torah, Jesus looks at his questioner and exclaims words to the effect of ‘You’re getting there!’  There’s a new world coming where God’s people fulfil God’s purpose.  What an encouragement to hear the words: ‘you are not far from the kingdom of God’.

After that, surely no one needed to ask any more questions. 

We take this Saying into our minds, allowing the saying to speak to us: ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12.34).

A time is now kept for silence of the mind – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.  The silence concludes with a short thanksgiving, and/or feel free to repeat the Saying.

The first silence ends with the words: Father, we thank you for the gift of your Word. 

Introduction to the second silence - a preparation for listening with the heart:

‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12.34).

These words are Jesus’ reply to a profound question.  His is a wise, humane response, delivering encouragement and hope.

If we put ourselves into this story, would we find ourselves hidden in the crowd, keeping a low profile, maybe appalled at the aggression displayed by our leaders?  Or might we be egging the scribe on: You ask him!  You get in there and question him!

Or could we be the questioner showing an enquiring and informed mind; a searcher after truth? Someone unafraid in the company of many who would disapprove?

Where would we be most at home?  Centre stage or in the shadows?  Seeking truth or fearful of change?

Our response probably depends on our personality as well as our church tradition.  Are we comfortable asking questions?  Are our church leaders happy to have their opinions challenged? Have we been taught to accept what we’re told, to conform, to squash our feelings or doubts?

A friend was asked to leave her church because she questioned a sermon.  I myself have on occasion when leading a Bible discussion group rather wished the questioner would go home!  We are not always graceful under pressure particularly where our ignorance may be displayed.  Where truth is sought, questions must be asked and faced.  Doesn’t the Bible teach us to ask God for wisdom? (James 1.5).

The scribe in Mark 12 seeks enlightenment.  He has been impressed by Jesus’ answer to his attackers.  ‘Which commandment is first of all?’ he wonders.  Which one is crucial?  There are so many rules - I can’t obey them all.  Which is key?

Jesus tells him: Love is the key.  Love with all your passion, prayer, intelligence and energy  (The Message) and love your neighbour too.  No other commandment anywhere near as important as these.

When Jesus looked at that earlier questioner in Mark 10, he looked at him and loved him  He recognised him: a seeker, a searcher after truth.  His compassionate attitude is real for us today.

Churches are notorious for resistance to change.  As we get older we may tend to dislike and avoid upheaval.  May we never stop looking for God’s priorities- whether in our private devotions, our family life, our church life, our community life or our political life.  May we care enough to question and challenge,  in the light of Christ, accepted norms.

How marvellous it will be at the end of the journey to hear that commendation: ‘Well done good and faithful servant (Luke 19 17).  As we reflect on Jesus’ words to the scribe, we can imagine the joy that filled that enquirer’s heart.

May God’s kingdom come.

Now we take this word into our hearts, as we allow Jesus’ words to speak in us, to let it touch us and let it work more deeply upon our lives.

A time is now kept for silence of the heart – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.

The second silence ends with the words: Father, we thank you that your Word is alive and within us.

Introduction to the time of intercession – taking God’s word outwards into the world.

‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12.34).

This may be an uncomfortable saying for us to use for those who appear to reject or be unaware of the kingdom of God.

Those of us with an evangelical background may once have thought in very black and white terms, perhaps thinking that those who held more liberal beliefs or adhered to no faith system or (worse!) the ‘wrong’ religion, could easily be dismissed as ‘far from the kingdom of God’.  Growing in the faith may come from many sources: some of us may become more contemplative through our beloved FCP; some may meet Christians from other traditions or others of different faiths; some discover writers who impact upon them powerfully, for me it has been Richard Rohr and others; still others may find spiritual depth in 12 step programmes for addiction support.  Whatever pathway God opens up to maturity, it can lead us to recognise God in everyone.  We know that God looks on the heart, (1 Sam 16.7); yours, mine and theirs, so we can pray with confidence, naming now any organisations, leaders, churches, friends and family as well as all those who have no one to pray for them who may find resonance in August’s Saying.

Say the name of a person or a group of people, and after a short pause, repeat the saying. For example:

‘Alison and your family … ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12.34), or ‘You are not far from the kingdom’ (if you are shortening the saying).

As we allow the word to speak through us we might direct Jesus’ word towards those people and situations where there is suffering, hurt and an absence of joy and where abiding in Christ would bring comfort.  Conclude this time of intercession with words of thanksgiving: Father, we thank you that your Word has gone out through us to those for whom we pray.

The Conclusion

Feel free to use the Fellowship Prayer (below) or another closing prayer to conclude your time of contemplative prayer:

Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for all your unsearchable riches which pour forth from you as light from the sun, in boundless profusion and generosity, whether received, ignored or rejected. And now we offer to you, in so far as we are able, as an emptiness to be filled with your divine fullness, ourselves, our souls and bodies; all that we are, all that we have and all that we do. Amen

You may wish to say the Grace together before departing.