"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:41-42
As runners (and walkers), we all know what it means to run a mile. A lot of us can run 13.1 or even 26.2 miles. But do we know and understand what it means to go the "extra mile"? In Jesus' day, Roman soldiers had the authority to force civilians to carry their loads. But Roman law said that a person only had to do this service for one mile and then he was free to go. Like most of us would, the Jews held to the letter of the law on this. In those times, the mile was measured in steps, one thousand to be exact. You can imagine that they counted every one of them. When they got to one thousand, they stopped.... done and not one stride more.
It's no wonder than that Jesus would instruct them to carry it another mile. He was reminding them (and us) that we are to give those that ask of us more than what is asked. By doing so, we are showing the love of Jesus - the same love that held Him on the cross for people that did far worse than any Roman soldier... people like you and me. People unworthy of his sacrifice.
The extra mile begins after you have done what was asked and was reasonable to do. It's that extra thing you do out of kindness and love. If your neighbor is in need of a jacket, give him a hat, gloves and scarf too. Know someone in need of a meal, give them two and dessert as well. After all, God withheld nothing from us when He showed his love for us, not even his own Son, ""For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. How about you? Are you willing to go the extra mile if it means showing Christ to the world?
Heavenly Father, thank you for going the extra mile and dying for our sins. Give us the strength to do more than what is required... more than what is asked. At the end of our first mile, may we, with the strength and love You give us go another and then another if that's what You ask of us. May we show your love to a lost world by doing so. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
www.team413.org
Matthew West - Do Something
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