As Christians we often think of some people being closer to becoming a Christian than others. We see a morally good person and think that they would be an easy target for the gospel message. Surely someone as good as that person would be interested in hearing about Jesus. Then we look at a nasty, violent person who is hard to get along with and think that they are “far, far, away in heathen darkness dwelling.” We think that this person would be much harder to share the gospel with. Such a nasty, sinful person would never listen to the gospel, would they?

But is this the right way to look at different people? Is one closer and the other farther off? Or are all people sinners who need the Savior despite their level of sin? As we look at today’s story in Mark, we will see that even a “good” person can be further away from the truth than once expected.