Extra Mile

If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles. 

Matthew 5:41 

 

During Jesus' time, a Roman soldier could order someone to carry all their gear (roughly 66 lbs.) for one mile.  As you can imagine, this did very little to make the conquered people happy to have the Roman Soldiers around.

 

When I was in the Army, our full field pack weighed around 65-70 pounds.  The first time we have to march carrying our packs was miserable.  But the more we carried them, the more we became accustomed to the burden.  But imagine how the civilian who may have been 15 years old being ordered to carry a soldier's pack for a mile (and then the civilian had to walk that mile back home hoping no other Roman Soldier was on the lookout for a baggage handler).  You can imagine the resentment and anger and hatred directed toward the Romans.

 

But look at what Jesus says, "go with him TWO miles."  Why did He say that?  Was Jesus telling us to just give up and knuckle under?  Not a chance.  Jesus is telling us to treat them the way we would like to be treated by them.  When you willingly go the extra mile, people will notice, even if they don't say anything, and you will begin to gain the respect of others.  Doing just what is required will 'get the job done' but that's about all.

 

Almost every Sunday after church, my bride and I go to brunch.  We usually have the same servers.  These servers have earned my respect because they ALWAYS go the extra mile cheerfully!  And that's one of the reasons we keep going back.

 

Go the extra mile and see what changes it makes.