“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matt. 5:41). The Persians did this before the Romans. It was the practice of compelling someone into service. It was common place for Roman soldiers to ask the Jewish people to carry their gear, which is estimated to have weighed 60 lbs., to the next marker. Jesus uses the disdain that people had for this as an example of going above and beyond what is asked. Don’t go one mile, go two.
A second mile saint is one that does more than what is asked. Jesus mentioned the sentiment of His time, “We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done” (Luke 17:10). Does your service stop at Sunday and being a “good person”? Being a Christian is so much more than worship. Many feel it imperative to assemble once on the Sunday. Many come because they feel compelled to. Worship rendered out of obligation is not as sweet as that rendered out of love.
God wants second mile saints to be willing. The kind that never considers the cost of service too high and no sacrifice too great. We see this exampled in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The man from Samaria went above and beyond what was expected for the one who had fallen among robbers on the Jericho road. We limit our opportunities to serve by limiting our response just to what is expected. Second milers are motivated by the needs of others and God’s grace.
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Luke 6:27-35).
What more could be said? We are clearly asked to be second mile saints. The bar has been set high. Will you rise to the challenge to go above and beyond, to go the second mile?