Three boys hatched a plan to earn enough money to buy their own brand-new bicycles. Their strategy was to call around their neighborhood, offering to do yard work or run an errand in exchange for a small amount of cash.
KROSS, the company that manufactures the bikes the boys had their eye on, got wind of their plan. Their hardworking initiative so impressed KROSS that they surprised each boy with a free bike! Those in the world of customer service call this “going the extra mile.”
“Going the extra mile” is a popular phrase that stems from the teachings of Jesus: “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles” (Matthew 5:41).
Jesus’ statement is often understood as a call to go beyond what’s expected. But originally there was much more to it.It was a challenge to show love instead of taking personal vengeance.
Back in Jesus’ day, Roman soldiers could lawfully force able-bodied civilians to carry their gear (which could weigh upwards of 100 pounds) for one mile. It was unfair, inconvenient, and often backbreaking. Jesus encouraged His followers to respond in a new and unexpected way, one that would reflect the generous love of God’s kingdom instead of unlawful resistance (Matthew 5:39) or revenge.
Carrying a soldier’s pack a second mile might seem outrageous, but that’s often what it takes to turn the tables lovingly on our enemies. It’s a powerful and hopeful way to respond, one that reflects the new life of God’s coming kingdom. And it’s one of countless ways to emulate the gracious love of our “Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:45,48). Today, perhaps God will use your extra-mile efforts to help others see what His outrageous love is all about.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 9:1-21
More:
Check out how the apostle Paul’s teaching on revenge mirrors Jesus’ instruction by reading Romans 12:17-21.
Next:
Is someone treating you unfairly? What is one way you could lovingly respond that’s so outrageously different that the offenders will see Jesus?
Gary Shultz on March 23, 2016 at 6:05 am
Going the extra mile is a very scarce commodity now days. Kross may be a great company; however, I’m sure marketing mileage was extracted from the deal, why else do it.
As you have written the taste of Roman rule was much less than palatable. What an expression to “reflect the new life of God” to use the will, the thought, the history, and the heart, to completely wrench the cogs of contempt into an act of stunning, unnatural kindness. It penetrated the Roman armor, it astounded, the Jewish culture, and so is the heart of our Lord, the life, the gift, the blessing……Thanks Jeff, may your family enjoy this season.
Jeff Olson on March 23, 2016 at 8:38 am
Gary, blessings to you and your family too.
mh53 on March 23, 2016 at 10:51 am
Why is it so easy to take something positive and attach a negative attribute to it. I read an article that stated Kurt Warner would let his kids pick out a family in a restaurant they were eating at to buy there dinner anonymously. How easy it would be to think that he did it for the publicity and not because he cares. Maybe one person in the Kross company heard of it, and said lets do something. If they get extra mileage out of it, who cares. How it started is what matters. It’s harder to think positively then negatively about people.
gagirllive on March 23, 2016 at 8:09 am
So true, Jeff. Love is a spiritual weapon…not to hurt but to heal. It seems that Jesus was always teaching the contrast between the requirements of the law and love. Grace gives us the power to respond far better than the law ever could. This is evident when I see or hear stories of horrific crimes and the victim offers forgiveness to the perpetrator. It’s only Jesus in us that can move us to act in such a supernatural way. It’s my prayer to walk in that kind of love when I’m mistreated and to entrust my case to the One who judges righteously. It’s not easy, but Jesus supplies all that we need in that moment, doesn’t He? Thanks for this today, Jeff!
samgaskill on March 23, 2016 at 9:20 am
Amen!! Yes!! Without this love we can do nothing! We love because He first loved us! Daily grow our hearts good and tender Lord. Help us to fully grasp Your amazing love for us that it may flow freely without condition from us!
Jeff Olson on March 23, 2016 at 9:46 am
Absolutely…it makes me think back to the events we will remember again this Friday…Jesus prays for those Roman soldiers who mocked him and nailed him to a cross…absolutely stunning love!
It’s part of the good news of Jesus that announces there’s a new way to live and respond to those who cause harm…The typical fight, flight or freeze mode are not our only options…I don’t have to fight back or run away or turn my brain off and mindlessly ignore how others are causing great harm…Because of Jesus, it’s possible to remain and engage, to thoughtfully bless those who are behaving like our enemies in ways that reflect the values of God’s loving presence and rule.
samgaskill on March 23, 2016 at 10:07 am
Amen! A new way to live! To love! That really is an unbelievable freedom we are given. Freedom from unrighteous anger, bitterness, jealousy or whatever emotion is not of God! Wonderful comment in light of the Easter season we rejoice in. Thank you for taking the time to share this!!
Jeff Olson on March 23, 2016 at 11:02 am
Your most welcome, samgaskill!
jim spillane on March 23, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Jeff – I believe that the correct quote from Jesus on the cross is “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In a sermon on this subject by Charles Spurgeon, he refers to the “indistinctness” of the word “them.” It’s much more than the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross, or those women and followers who are now beholding Him there, or the crowd that taunts Him, or for us sinners through all time who have also put Him there. There is no word of accusation on His lips, His plea is for everyone, everywhere, for all time. Spurgeon says that Jesus pleads His Sonship on our behalf and asks that the Father not punish, but forgive, and remember their sin no more. What a blessed prayer from the cross!
Jeff Olson on March 23, 2016 at 1:50 pm
What a blessed prayer indeed!!!
godlove on March 23, 2016 at 10:32 am
“Going the extra mile” is probably the hardest part of Christianity for me. It’s so difficult to respond to evil with an act of love. To respond with indifference (as I usually try to do) is so much easier than to actually go further, that proverbial extra mile, and show love to someone who purposely wrongs you. It takes all the strength of the Holy Spirit in us to be able to emulate Jesus’ love in this manner, and to try to “be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.” I think it definitely pleases Him that we reflect His Grace and Mercy towards us to the eyes of the world by doing likewise with fellow men. Thanks a lot for this today Jeff. You gave me the opportunity to go that extra mile with someone around me.
samgaskill on March 23, 2016 at 10:54 am
May you both be blessed. The giver of the extra mile and the receiver! May it bless the Father’s Heart. Amen!
Jeff Olson on March 23, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Your welcome, Godlove…all praise to the King who continues to show us there is a more promising way.