Text: “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41).
Our Scripture lesson begins with the words, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’” (Matthew 5:38). I don’t know what you think, but I believe that sounds pretty cruel. Can you imagine putting out another person’s eye or knocking out a person’s tooth?
This “eye for an eye” reference can be found in Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21. This rule was intended to be a guide to help the judges make a decision concerning this type of case. The rule was never intended to give a person the right to seek revenge or to retaliate.
The main objective was to make sure the punishment fit the crime. There were probably countries in Old Testament days where this type of barbaric cruelty took place. This might even happen today in certain countries, but we never hear about it.
Jesus spoke of this punishment so that people would not seek revenge. In fact, Jesus and the Pharisees determined the rule meant that the person who caused injury pay fair compensation to the injured person. This rule is relevant today in that there are parents, judges, employers, teachers and others who must make wise decisions when discipline is to be exercised.
Parents are responsible for raising their children. Parents are supposed to teach their children right from wrong. If this is done properly, the child understands and will most likely not do something to the contrary. This is not always true because those of us who have raised children know there are times we have to make a decision to implement corrective action.
Maybe the little child wandered out into the street. In this case, something must be done to correct the child’s actions. Maybe a teenager was told to be home at a certain time and for some reason came home much later. Perhaps a young person began running around with the wrong crowd and ended up at the police station.
The driver who runs the red light and gets caught must pay some type of penalty. The penalty the driver must pay should not be the same penalty as one caught in the act of robbery. If a person shoots someone, the penalty can’t be the same as the person who is caught in a robbery. If a student skips school, the penalty should not be the same as the penalty for the student who threatens the life of another student or teacher.
I am saying the penalty or punishment must fit the crime. A penalty too cruel or ruthless is unfair. On the other hand, a penalty that is too compassionate or easy going is really useless or powerless. The penalty or punishment must fit the crime.
When someone does something to us that is wrong, the first thing that comes into our mind is that we must get even, retaliate or seek revenge. We tend to want to even the score, but in reality, Jesus says, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39).
I don’t know about you, but it is rather difficult for me to follow those words. I know I should because Jesus said I should. The problem is, I have a sinful nature, and the devil is tempting me to do the opposite of what the Holy Spirit is prompting me to do.
What should we do when we are wronged or hurt by another person? We already know we should not seek revenge, so what are we to do. Jesus tells us to “…forgive men their trespasses…” (Matthew 6:14). Paul gave this advice to the Ephesians: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
If we are a true follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will forgive those who do us harm. I am not saying that we should let people run over us. We do need to use our power and strength to protect ourselves, but again keeping in mind fair punishment.
We are not only to forgive, but we are to forget. We cannot completely forgive if we say we will not forget. When we forgive, we may be preventing something else from coming about. On the other hand, if we seek revenge, then there is a good possibility that we will continue to have encounters with the other person.
As Jesus continues to talk, He says, “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also” (Matthew 5:40). Today’s English Version of the Bible uses these words: “And If someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well” (Matthew 5:40).
It is better to go to court than it is to settle a matter by revenge or retaliation. In court, the judge will weigh all the facts and make a just decision. After the judge’s decision is made known, the accused may not feel the final decision is fair. However, if the issue is of a small nature, it is better to give in and make peace with the accuser. In that instance, the person being accused will be the victor or winner and further court costs will be eliminated.
I am not saying the person who has done wrong should get away without paying some type of penalty, but I am saying God wants His children to use their common sense and show good will. If we follow Jesus’ words, we are doing the will of Almighty God. God’s will is for all of His children to love and forgive.
When we follow Jesus’ words, there is a good possibility that our attitude and our actions will have a positive influence on the one blaming or accusing us of something. In other words, the light of Jesus shining through us may reflect upon the person who is accusing us and a life may be changed.
Jesus also says, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41). If we are compelled to do something, we are doing something because someone else is forcing us to do it. If we don’t do this task, we are going to end up in a quarrel or fight. If we do the task, then it is over and life moves forward.
We may not be compelled or forced to do something, but we still go the second mile. We cover the second mile when we go out of our way to do something extra for a person, business, group and etc.
Do you remember the story or parable of the “Good Samaritan? Jesus says, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have’” (Luke 10:35).
What did the priest do when he saw the victim? He passed by on the other side of the road. The priest, I believe, is like many people today. When a problem or issue arises, they do not want to get involved. When a person comes up to us at the store or in the parking lot and pours out their heart and then asks us if we could provide some money so they could get something to eat or drink, what do we do? We need to ask ourselves the question: “What would Jesus do?”
There is no doubt Jesus would provide for this individual. If we say we follow in His footsteps or that we are Christians, we would do the same. We could go a little further and talk to the person about their situation. Perhaps there are difficulties or issues the person is facing and if we listen, we might just be able to prevent the person from doing something detrimental. This is what Jesus would do.
Then there was the Levite who saw the victim lying on the ground. Perhaps he went over, out of curiosity, and looked at the victim. There must have been a reason the Levite did not want to care for the victim because he moved to the other side of the road and proceeded to pass by. Did the Levite lack compassion, understanding or love? Jesus would have taken excellent care of the victim.
There are times you and I have missed the opportunity to help someone in need. Perhaps, someone in our neighborhood has some catastrophe like house fire, death in the family, lack of transportation, etc. Would we be like the Levite and pass by another direction? If we did not help, we would not have been following in Jesus’ footsteps.
The third man who went by the beaten victim was a Samaritan. What did the Samaritan do? First of all, he stopped and took pity on him. Second, he was not only concerned, but he was willing to take time and do something to help the victim. Third, the Samaritan helped the victim by pouring oil and wine on the victim’s wounds and applying bandages. Fourth, he put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn.
Lastly, before he left town, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper coins to take care of the victim and in addition, told the innkeeper, he would be compensated for any additional care when he arrived in town later. This is what Jesus would have done. The question I have is this: Would you and I follow in the footsteps of Jesus by doing what the Samaritan did?
The Samaritan went the first mile when he stopped upon seeing the man in need. He proceeded to take care of the man immediately. The Samaritan went the second mile when he loaded the man on his donkey taking him to a room at the inn, personally caring for him the first day and then paying the innkeeper to continue to take of him for the next few days. The Samaritan was truly a man of God doing exactly what Jesus would have done.
The priest and the Levite showed no love and compassion for the injured man. I believe they justified in their mind they had done the right thing by not becoming involved and helping the man. Are you and I like the priest and the Levite? When our help is needed by one in need or one in distress, do we pass by on the other side of the street? If that is what we do, we need to ask ourselves if this is what Jesus would do.
The Samaritan saw a human-being in need. He saw a child of Almighty God who needed help. He knew in his own heart that every child of God is worthy and precious to the Father. God did not create anything that was worthless, including His children. To Jesus, all of us are important or He would not have been willing to suffer for us and die upon an old wooden cross.
Almighty God, the Father, was willing to go more miles for His children than the human mind can possibly imagine. He was able to do this because of His love for us. Jesus said, “For God so-loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Jesus went on to say, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45).
Jesus told us not to take things in our own hands when we are abused or persecuted, but to let the judges decide. He told us to pray for the people who hurt us. Along with praying for them, we should love them and show compassion for them. By doing this act of kindness and goodness, we may be able to change the attitude of the person from evil to good.
When we do good or when we are doing what Jesus would do, then we are witnessing for Jesus. His light is shining through us and reflecting out and upon the person who does not live a righteous and justified life. Salvation is likely to come to that person.
Conclusion:
There are times in our life when people do not agree with us or say derogatory things about us. People may harm us physically, impair us mentally or damage us morally. They may not show love toward us.
But then there are people who treat us fairly and honestly. They do not or would not even think of harming us in any way. They want to do more for us than is necessary. These people go out of their way to be good to us, to help us, to see that we have all we need to live a comfortable life. They stay in touch with us letting us know how important we are to them and asking about our needs.
When we are sick or they have not seen us for a couple of days, these people inquire to make sure we are okay. When we have transportation issues, they are right there willing to step in and provide for us. When we have sickness or illness in the family, these people are right there giving us support in all ways.
These are the people going the first and second mile for us. These people are doing what Jesus would do. They are true Christians following in the footsteps of Jesus. There is no thought about inconvenience on their part. There main concern is what they can do to make us comfortable or in what way they can help us.
These people do not care what others think or what others would do. They feel in their heart that they are doing what Jesus would do. They are true witnesses for Jesus. They are like the Samaritan doing everything necessary for our comfort and our need.
These people are going the second mile without thinking about their time, their means or what other people think. They are truly witnessing for Jesus. They have the love of Jesus in their heart. Their focus is on Jesus, their Lord and Savior. They are true Christians.
I want to close with this little story about a young man who was a true Christian. He was willing to take the abuse and laughter from rugged men in his company. He was willing to go the second mile for His Lord and Savior.
Story: “Eight Others Got Out Their Bibles”
A fine lad entered the Army. He faced a real test the first night he went to bed in the barracks. He had formed the commendable habit of placing his Bible on his bed at home, and kneeling down to read a chapter while having his daily prayer time before retiring.
Surrounded by scores of rough men in the one great company room, many of them cursing and jesting loudly, he thought it might be wiser to go to bed and then read His Bible where nobody would notice it. But he told himself, “I am a Christian, and I ought to give these fellows a testimony. I won’t strike my colors; I’ll do just as I did at home!”
So the courageous youngster undressed, got into his sleeping garments, then spread his Bible on his cot. He kneeled down and started to read, and in two minutes the barracks got as quiet as a church. He felt like a goldfish in a glass bowl….After a while the talk began again, and nothing was said about his odd behavior.
But the next night when he again opened his Bible and knelt to read, eight other boys dug out their Bibles and did the same. Within a month every man in that outfit would have fought for that boy. They brought their troubles and their questions to him to be settled, and he influenced more men for Christ in that one barracks than half a dozen chaplains could have moved in a year of Sundays.
-------From Miracles at Morning Cheer,
by Harry Timmer
It is of utmost importance to go the second mile for everyone, including our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He went to the bitter end for us paying the price we could never pay.
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:45, 46, 48).
“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41).
Amen.
