Going The Second Mile

-August 9, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

(Matthew 5:41).

Today’s verse is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7. His words are extraordinary. Much of it shows the difference between what the Law required and how His followers must fulfill and exceed it. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I say to you, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one little tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” The jot and the tittle were the smallest strokes of the Hebrew written language. They are much like our comma and period marks.

Jesus is the Author of the Word of God. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The Scriptures come from God, are inspired by God, and are empowered by God. They give us the answers to our questions, the solutions to our problems, and fulfillment of our needs. They teach us how live, how to give, and how to forgive.

Going the Second Mile is something only a believer in Christ can and will do. The First Mile represents what we are required to do, The Second Mile what we willingly do; The First Mile meets expectations, The Second Mile exceeds them; The First Mile is our duty, The Second Mile is our joyful privilege.

There are always things we must do in life. Somethings we like to do, they are easy; others are things we don’t want to do, and they are harder; and lastly there things that we must do that we dread or detest doing, and they are the hardest of all. Doing the latter and going the Second Mile gives all glory to God. Only God’s grace can enable us to do them joyfully. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Paul could write these words because of God’s grace. The Lord told him in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Runners often speak of getting their second wind during the course of a race, especially a marathon. In the Christian life, our blessed Lord gives us a second wind to keep going strong to the finish line. The hymn writer B. Mansell Ramey wrote, “Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way! Where-e’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way! Until the race is run, until the journey’s done, until the crown is won, teach me Thy way.”

Are you willing to go the extra mile for Jesus’ sake? To run the extra mile? To give the extra effort, to give the additional amount to help others? If you are, you are a Second Mile Christian. The Second Mile Christian is always busy, sees things that need to be done and does them without having to be asked, and has a willing and sacrificial spirit. Jesus taught the Parable of the Good Samaritan to show us that our neighbor is whoever is in need. In the story, a man is beaten, robbed, and left to die in the side of the road. A priest and a Levite pass by, see him in need but pass by on the other side without stopping to help. The third man, a despised Samaritan, not only stops to help the man, but takes him to a nearby Inn to get further assistance and care. He even offers to pay the Innkeeper upon his return that way. He definitely went the Second Mile. Let us go the second mile with a smile.

Have a blessed day going the Second Mile. Stay safe and healthy.

Going above and beyond,

Dean