The Extra Mile

Read

Matthew 5:38-41 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles."

Think

Imagine your teacher asks the class to stack ten chairs before recess. Everybody groans. Ten chairs feels like a lot. So most kids stack their one chair and dash for the door.

But one kid stays. She stacks her chair, then keeps going. Eleven chairs. Twelve. She stacks every single one so nobody else has to. She did not have to. She wanted to.

That kid understands something Jesus taught a long time ago.

Back in Jesus' day, a soldier could make you carry his heavy bag for one mile. It was the rule. Nobody liked it. And Jesus said something that probably made people's jaws drop. He said do not just walk the one mile they make you walk. Walk two. Carry it twice as far as anyone expected.

Why would Jesus say that? Because serving people the world's way and serving people God's way look totally different. The world says do the least you can get away with. Do your one mile and stop. God says give more than anyone asked for. Do the second mile too.

When you do more than you have to, people notice. It surprises them. Nobody expects the kid who carries the bag an extra mile or stacks all the extra chairs. It makes them wonder why you are so different. And that wondering can lead them straight to God. Remember our verse this week? When people see your good works, they give glory to your Father in heaven.

Going the extra mile is hard. Let's be honest about that. It is easier to do the bare minimum and run for the door. But you were designed for more than the bare minimum. You were designed to serve like Jesus.

So this week, when you finish what you were told to do, look around. Is there one more chair to stack? One more way to help? That extra mile is where your light shines the brightest.

Apply

Go one more mile – When someone asks you to do a job today, do it and then add a little extra. Clear your plate, then clear someone else's too. Finish your chore, then help with one more.

Pray

Jesus, you always gave more than people expected. Help me do that too. When I want to do the least I can, remind me that I was made to serve like you. Give me a heart that goes the extra mile. In Jesus' name. Amen.