The Second Mile

In the middle of Jesus' first sermon known as the Sermon on the Mount, He said something both challenging and interesting. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” This is the “law of the second mile.”  Are you a second miler? 

Second milers go above and beyond. They do more than is required or asked of them. In the context of Jesus' words, the Jewish people were under Roman rule. Essentially, a Roman soldier could grab someone off the street and force them to carry their backpack or burden for one mile. It was a tool of subjugation. It was the law. It was not a request for help but a demand for service. It was a law that caused stinging resentment. 

Jesus instilled into the early believers that they were to do things differently. Their lives would be a testimony because of how they reacted and responded to unfairness and mistreatment. He said if one mile is required, offer to do an additional mile. Let’s think about this and why it is important for us today. 

Second milers are different. They are not the people that live to do as little as possible to get by. They are the people that thrive. Living as a second miler puts a spring in your step, a smile on your face, and a song in your heart. Instead of life driving you, you are driving your life in a positive way. 

The second mile is a character mile. Jesus was looking for people that would live over and above the requirements. He was looking for people full of love and servanthood. The first mile is to love those who love us, the second mile is to love those that may not love us. The character mile moves us from slaves to masters. From “have to” to “want to.” 

The second mile is a commitment mile. Jesus also said that we should “turn the other cheek.” When we are slighted or disrespected, at home, in the workplace, or even in the public arena, it is an opportunity to stay committed to Jesus’ way of living and loving. Our reaction is to love more, not retaliate. We are to persevere and not push back. We are to love even those who have marginalized us, ignored us, or even taken advantage of us. 

The second mile is a commission mile. Jesus suggests that successful people live the second mile life. The first mile is crowded but the second is not busy at all. Most people never get to second mile living. It is too easy to focus on ourselves and wallow in our personal injury, perceived or reality. 

The commission that Christ gave us to do was to spread the gospel message and to make disciples. Going the second mile enables us to testify to God’s grace that is within us. A Roman soldier would have been blown away for a Jewish person offering to go the second mile. When asked why they would do this a simple answer would be that Jesus said to do it. This would in turn lead to a conversation and maybe even a conversion. 

It is His grace that allows us to go the second mile. It is His presence in our lives that makes us different from the average people that live for self and not the Savior. Be a second miler. Raise the bar. Build this concept into your life. You will not be sorry but find joy in serving beyond the first mile.