Going The Extra Mile
Matthew 5:39-41 But I tell you, don't fight back against someone who wants to do harm to you. If they hit you on the right cheek, let them hit the other cheek too. If anyone wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. If a soldier forces you to walk with him one mile, go with him two.
People do some horrible things to us sometimes. So, when someone does something horrible to you, might I ask you, how do you respond to them? How do you, treat them? Hmm?
We’ve all heard that line about going the extra mile. And yet, we live in a world where you can struggle to find anyone who’s even prepared to go the first mile with you, let alone the second.
“Going the extra mile,” speaks about a goodness and a steadfastness in someone. It’s about commitment and honesty and profound decency and faithfulness during the tough times, this “going the extra mile” thing.
In this world, the person who goes the extra mile, well, they’re definitely going to stand out from the crowd. We love to meet those sorts of people in our lives. Those people who hang with us, even when the going gets tough. Even when we don’t deserve it.
The first time this idea pops up, is a couple of thousand years ago. Jesus said this:
Matthew 5:39-41 But I tell you, don’t fight back against someone who wants to do harm to you. If they hit you on the right cheek, let them hit the other cheek too. If anyone wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. If a soldier forces you to walk with him one mile, go with him two.
That’s tough! They hit you, so turn the other cheek. They sue you, so give them more than they asked for. They force you, against your will, to go the first mile, and so go the extra mile as well!
It doesn’t make sense. Who would do that for someone who’s treated them badly in the first place? Who would be that crazy?
Jesus.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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