Title: Living in the Second Mile
Scripture: St. Matthew 5:41
(Adapted from sermon from Rev. Edward Hardee, 7/2000)
Preached at Perfected Praise Worship Center, Oklahoma City
On Sunday, November 18, 2007
http://www.thewordministryokc.com
We have entered into this Thanksgiving week, in a few days we will gather with family and friends and sit around the dinner table. Many of us will travel over the nest few weeks as we begin the Holiday and Holy Day Season that will last through early January. I enjoy this time of year, where many who would not ordinarily pause, take the time to reflect and give thanks. As we begin to move closer to Thanksgiving Day, not only should we be thankful for all that God has done and is doing, but also recognize the sacrifice and commitment that accompanies being Thankful.
Run with me over to our text and right before we engage the Scriptures -- we hear a loud commanding voice ringing out and Permeates the air. Thirteen men looked to their left to see what all the commotion was about. There stood a Roman soldier barking orders to a young Jewish man," Jew, carry my back pack one mile." They watched and listened as the Jew pleaded with the solider, "but sir I am on my way to work and my business must be opened before the early morning rush. I don’t have time to carry your pack you are going in the opposite direction.” The solider drew his sword and repeated his orders, "Jew, carry my back pack." So finally the Jew huffed and puffed and frowned and obeyed his orders. Twelve of the thirteen men who watched the episode were astonished – but Jesus was not. Just about a decade before the birth of Jesus, the Roman senate had passed a law that read, "In any conquered province within the Roman Empire, soldiers may compel able bodied men to bear their burden one mile, but no more." Of course, I don’t know if the scenario I just described ever happened, but it would not surprise me if it did. Especially knowing the disciples and understanding Jesus teaching techniques as well as knowing what we have learned about the Scribes, Pharisees, and the Roman Empire.
As I read the words found in our text, my mind takes me back to the Roman occupation of Israel in the first century. I imagine it might not have been out of the norm for a Roman soldier to place his gear upon a Jewish citizen, and command that such a one carry his load. We see this manner of forced employment in ST. MATTHEW 27:32 -- on the way to Calvary, Simon of Cyrene was "...compelled to bear His cross." -. The first reaction might be disdain and rebellion at such a personal inconvenience, but refusal would surely bring nothing good. Doubtless, many burdens were transported this way.
If a Roman soldier saw a Jewish man or boy, he could command the person to carry his backpack or burden for a mile. The Jewish boy or man was required by law to carry this soldier’s burden for a mile. However, most Jews would not carry this burden one inch or one foot further than the law required. The Roman mile was 1000 paces or 1520 yards…a little shorter than the English mile. As you can imagine, this law caused terrible resentment among the Jews toward the Roman government. Can you imagine how the Jews felt when Jesus said, “go the second mile?” No doubt, the audience said, “He must be kidding - Does he really expect us to do more than the law requires us to do?” In essence, Jesus was saying that his disciples need to do more than the legalists who do no more than what is required of them.
The phase “going the second mile” has found its way into our modern jargon. It has its roots in first-century Palestine. The Romans had conquered much of the known world. One of the marvels of their conquest was a vast system of super highways which they had built to and from their conquered territories. There were over 50,000 miles of these Roman roads throughout the empire. At each mile was a stone marker. The New Oxford English Dictionary calls them “guide stones.” These guide stones pointed direction, determined distance, warned of dangers and each one of them had the miles to Rome etched upon them. This is where we get the phrase, “all roads lead to Rome.”
No one likes to be made to do someone else’s work. At the very least, we are apt to complain – argue – or simply refuse to be so used. I spent 11-years in the U.S. Army, I really enjoyed serving, it was a good life. Many times people ask me why didn’t you finish the last 9-years and retire? Although, I enjoyed the military life, I grew to a point where I was simply tired of being told what to do all the time, therefore, I needed a change Being compelled to engage in "community service" by law or by might is demeaning and an argument could be made that it would be unjust. But Jesus tells us to take the sting out of the situation by being willing to carry such a burden an extra mile with a cheerful attitude.
I want to focus upon this one verse this morning. I want us to visit this thought of Living in the Second Mile. I believe that we as Christians are required to live in the second mile I have been working with people and Pastoring long enough to observe that all successful people live by the second mile principle. THE FIRST MILE IS CROWDED, BUT THE SECOND MILE IS NOT BUSY AT ALL -- FIRST MILE IS CONGESTED, BUT THE SECOND MILE IS NOT WELL TRAVELLED -- FIRST MILE IS BUMPER TO BUMPER, BUT THE SECOND MILE IS SMOOTH SAILING – THE FIRST MILE IS GRIDLOCKED BUT THE SECOND MILE IS ALMOST DESERTED -- I want to discuss three thoughts about the second mile that should help us in our Christian Journey:
• Christianity is a second mile religion
• Jesus requires us to live in the second mile
• Are you committed to live in the second mile?
First – Christianity is a Second Mile Religion. Since the beginning of Gods creation, there have been many religions established. And, here is a news flash, before we leave this earth, there will be many more established. It seems that there is a religion for everything.
• One to worship the animals
• One to worship the trees
• One to worship the Sun
• One to worship the Moon
But there is one thing that Christianity has that none other has. Christianity is a second mile religion. If we call ourselves Christians, then we need to understand that we are required to live in the second mile. Some of you are looking at me strange. Perhaps your saying, Bishop what is Living in the Second Mile -- could you help us grab your thought.
• To love your neighbor is the first mile - to love your enemy is the second mile
• To bless those who bless you is the first mile, - to bless those who curse you is the second mile
• To do good to those who do good to you is the first mile - to do good to those who hate you is the second mile
• Praying for those who pray for you is the first mile - praying for those who despitefully use you is the second mile
The Pharisees lived in the first mile and Christians live in the second mile. But notice the wording that Jesus uses in text. He doesn’t say anything about a Roman Soldier. He says, “and whosoever shall compel thee.” To you and I today this would mean, “If a neighbor” or a “co-worker” or a “church member” would compel us to do a certain thing then we should do twice as much as they expect us to do. I am told that Christianity is viewed as the most rigorous – demanding religion in the world. It is viewed as a non-tolerant Religion; there is only one way to make it into heaven. It is considered to be the hardest religion in the world. But it is also the most rewarding in the world. When you call yourself a Christian it should be like a certain pride but at the same time, there is also a certain humbleness to it. Yes, my brothers and sisters, it is not an easy walk. If you view this Christian journey as an easy life, then I am afraid that you are living the wrong life. If it is not demanding then you are not living right. This is because it is a second mile religion – and this requires us to love all and to persevere. I have found that it is not easy to give a full and complete definition of Christianity. The religion Christ introduced to the world and made effective with the shedding of His blood on the cross is like a diamond with its many facets. To appreciate its full value and beauty it must be viewed from its many different angles. Christianity makes for a beautiful life and insures happiness in heaven forever.
In some religions you have to acquire a certain amount of money or status in this world and then you can be a part - but Christianity is unique. You can’t be a part of Christianity and a part of another religion. You can be a Hindu and a Buddhist – you can be into Janism and Taosim - You can be a Muslin and into Judaism - but Christianity stands alone. There is no Backdoor – no Alternate Route – no Alternative Choices.
This leads me to our Second Point – Jesus requires us to live in the second mile. Christ lived in the second mile – He did this in two ways – His life and His teaching. When we consider the life of Christ, we quickly realize He was Living in the Second Mile. Do you remember Zacchaeus? A known tax collector. A thief in the eyes of the people. This man was hated by the people of the town but he went and ate with him just as he went and ate with other sinners. Now this may not seem to be living in the second mile to you but these are sometimes people who others don’t care about. These are considered by the Pharisees as the low life’s of society. Jesus talked to those considered beneath society’s standard and he dealt with them. Jesus realized that the ones who are saved already have the gospel and the ones who really needed it are those that are lost.
Jesus also requires us to live in the second mile by the things that He taught. In Verses 38-48. He tells us to turn the other cheek. One of the hardest things known to man is to not retaliate. It is always tempting to hit back or get back some way at those who do us wrong but Christ tells us to turn the other cheek. Some people I meet it is like the world is their enemy. They spend most of their time avoiding the world too scared that they will be hurt - but Christ promises protection. He tells us to resist evil and we are to love our enemies. The world can not hurt us more than we can help them. We see that Christ says that if someone wants your coat give him your cloak also. Don’t let things that can be replaced hinder your relationship. He is not saying let people take advantage of you but he is saying to build a relationship in spite of.
Christ lived in the Second Mile in His prayer life. Remember Jesus praying until Drops of Blood ran down his face. We only pray until our knees hurt or people are no longer around. Jesus struggled with Satan after fasting 40-days and 40-nights. Fasting and being tempted, He gave us examples on how to accept diversities. He did this in his giving - Of his whole self to a life devoted to his fathers business and then to die on the cross for undeserving people such as I. No complaints when he was spit upon or the solders gambled for his clothes. We can also see the second mile of other great men such as:
• ABRAHAM, who left family and friends with no Road Map, but believed God
• ENOCH , who walked with God
• NOAH who took ridicule to do Gods command
• ELIJAH, who would insult the Prophets of Baal
• JEREMIAH, who stood weeping in a dungeon, and would not give up on God
• MOSES who gave up a life of wealth to follow God
• DAVID with blood on his hands would become a man after God’s own heart
• PETER who came back from denying Christ to preaching on the day of Pentecost
• PAUL a man living a sacrificial life for the service of God and calling himself the Chief of all sinners
• We even see the people of the 15 and 1600s such as John Calvin who went against the Church and Martin Luther who placed the wrongs of the church on the door
These were all great men who lived in the Second mile. If they had chosen to live in the first mile there would be nothing, no commitment, no sacrifice. Now for my Final Thought – are you committed to live in the Second Mile? Are you willing to commit your life to God and to leap all boundaries to follow God? Are you willing to take the extra step to call yourself a second mile Christian. The first mile is that which is required of us. It is the mile that is mandated for us. We live in a world where many do not even make it to the first mile marker. That is, they do not even do what is required of them at the office – home – church - or wherever they might be. The first mile is vitally important. It is what makes us function. It is that which is required of us as believers.
-- The second mile is the Witnessing Mile
-- The second mile is the Sacrificial Mile
-- The second mile is the Commitment Mile
-- The second mile is the Breakthrough Mile
-- The second mile is the Sowing the Seed Mile
-- The second mile is your Destiny Mile
-- The second mile is your Deliverance Mile
-- The second mile is the Birthing Mile
-- The second mile is your Healing Mile
-- The second mile is your Set Free Mile
-- I am convinced that more souls would be saved if we lived our lives in the second mile
-- Jesus went the second mile for all of us
-- What does it mean Living in the Second Mile?"
-- It means to rise above the instinctive desire to "strike back," "get even," or "settle the score" and to meet evil with good
-- It means to swallow pride and abandon self-interest
-- It means to be slow to anger and quick to forgive
-- It means to live by grace in the face of the unfair
-- Jesus went much farther than the second mile for you—He went as far as anyone could go
-- ST. JOHN 15:13 "GREATER LOVE HAS NOT ONE THAN THIS, THAT ONE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”
-- The Lord Jesus walked this second mile. Yes, my brothers and sisters, He went the first mile. He did what was required of Him. He left heaven, clothed Himself in human flesh, walked among us and yet was not contaminated by our sin. He was obedient to the Father.
-- But He then went the second mile, all the way to the cross to be our sin bearer. He could have called legions of angels to set Him free, but He went the second mile and died for you and me.
(Close)
