One of our challenges for 2015 is to learn and live all 50 commands of
Jesus. Jesus told us that following his commandments is a way to love him
and a way for his love and his joy to fill our lives (John 15:9-12). In
his Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to make disciples of all
nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded us (Matthew
28:19-20). So each week in this year we are learning and living one
command of Jesus. Here is our command for this week...
Week 26:
"If anyone forces you to go
one mile, go with them two miles,” (Matthew 5:41).
Application:
I had an “aha” moment recently
while shoveling snow. I realized I have
only been doing as much as I have to; no more.
For example, I shovel my driveway and the part of the sidewalk that goes
to the end of my property line. I stop
there. That’s all I have to do. But is that the right perspective?
Jesus encouraged his followers to go above and beyond what was
required of them, even of what was asked of them. In their context, the land of Israel was
occupied by the Roman government. Roman
soldiers would “ask” common folk to carry their gear. The people really had no choice. This was unfair and oppressive, but even Rome
had limits. Roman soldiers were only
allowed to ask people to carry their gear for one mile. I’m sure that by the time a person was
through with that mile, they were glad to be finished. Yet Jesus commands that if someone asks us to
go a mile, we should go two. Why would
he want us to do that?
As Jesus followers, we are called to reflect the love of God in
our world. And we have an “above and
beyond” kind of God. God goes above and
beyond in the way that God helps us, blesses us, cares, for us, and loves us.
The Jewish people have a song that they sing at their Passover
celebration called “Dayenu.” It is
translated “It would have been enough.”
In the song, they reflect on the gifts of God. With each gift they sing, “It would have been
enough.” It would have been enough if
God had just done that. Yet God did more
than enough. God went above and beyond
what God had to do for the people. With
each line they celebrate that God went the extra mile for them.
Then God went the extra marathon when God sent Jesus. God did not have to do that for us. God had already sent prophets and priests and
judges and kings to help call us back to God.
He did more than enough. Yet God
went above and beyond what God had to do, and God sent his one and only Son to
live, die, and rise again so that all people could be reunited with God.
If we follow a God who goes the extra mile for us, then the best
way we can reflect God’s love is to go the extra mile for others. This kind of extra effort, extended to
friends and enemies, takes people by surprise and causes them to wonder why you
would do that. This is the perfect
opportunity to tell them about what God has done for us.
Here is a challenge for the week: Whenever someone asks you to do
something this week – family member, friend, boss, teacher, neighbor,
co-worker, ministry leader, etc. –, do more than they ask. Go above and beyond. Go the extra mile. Or maybe just go beyond what is required, even if no one asks. Shovel more than your share. And be prepared to explain why you did that.
Here’s a song to inspire us. I found a song I wrote and recorded as a senior in
high school (long time ago) about a youth pastor I had who embodied this
verse. The song is called “One More Mile.”
Share your comments and application ideas…
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