Sometimes we tend to do the bare minimum. Do you know what I mean?
In Matthew 5:41, Jesus said, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
Remember, in Jesus’ day, the nation of Israel was under Roman occupation. The law was that a Roman soldier could grab you by the shoulder and force you to carry his heavy military pack for a mile. That’s it--just one mile.
I can imagine a resident of Jerusalem counting his steps. You see, there are 4,224 steps in a mile (I asked Siri!). Jacob tries to keep his eyes from making contact with a Roman soldier. But that doesn't work. The soldier taps him on the shoulder. He takes off his heavy pack and hands it to Jacob.
Jacob starts walking. He is counting under his breath with every step: 1, 2, 3,… 3,019, 3020, 3021… 4,222, 4,223, 4224.
Then he stops and takes off the backpack.
But Jesus says, “Go the extra mile.” This is more than going above and beyond. I’m happy to go above and beyond for my wife, my children, my grandchildren. But Jesus is telling us to go above and beyond for an enemy, for someone who’s oppressing or abusing us.
As a matter of fact, after the statement about the extra mile in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
Is this easy? Of course not. Jesus doesn't give us the easy path. We follow him. And he carried a cross. He went the extra mile (and more) for you and me.
In Matthew 5:41, Jesus said, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
Remember, in Jesus’ day, the nation of Israel was under Roman occupation. The law was that a Roman soldier could grab you by the shoulder and force you to carry his heavy military pack for a mile. That’s it--just one mile.
I can imagine a resident of Jerusalem counting his steps. You see, there are 4,224 steps in a mile (I asked Siri!). Jacob tries to keep his eyes from making contact with a Roman soldier. But that doesn't work. The soldier taps him on the shoulder. He takes off his heavy pack and hands it to Jacob.
Jacob starts walking. He is counting under his breath with every step: 1, 2, 3,… 3,019, 3020, 3021… 4,222, 4,223, 4224.
Then he stops and takes off the backpack.
But Jesus says, “Go the extra mile.” This is more than going above and beyond. I’m happy to go above and beyond for my wife, my children, my grandchildren. But Jesus is telling us to go above and beyond for an enemy, for someone who’s oppressing or abusing us.
As a matter of fact, after the statement about the extra mile in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
- Is there someone who has hurt you? Go the extra mile… forgive them.
- Is there someone who has been unkind to you? Go the extra mile… pray for them.
- Is there someone who has talked about you behind your back? Go the extra mile… love them.
Is this easy? Of course not. Jesus doesn't give us the easy path. We follow him. And he carried a cross. He went the extra mile (and more) for you and me.
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