Go the Second Mile

“You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42 ESV). We are not to apply these verses literally, but to understand the truth of what Jesus is teaching and how this might apply to the command of going the second mile.

When someone wrongs us it is our tendency to want to retaliate, but the expression of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is to place a limit on our need of justice to not exceed the injustice done to us. To not resist evil does not mean we give up to its advances when we have opportunity to hold it back. Jesus is not suggesting we allow continued abuse when there are means to overcome it. We are not to allow others to take what is ours just because they want it and there is a limit to what we can do for others. So, what is Jesus teaching through these extreme illustrations?

Consider an example of one who has been taken into custody by authorities for sharing the gospel in a country of persecution. The person is about to be tortured and any resistance would only make matters worse. To renounce your faith, as they demand, is not an acceptable option. Evidence shows and Scripture supports yielding our need of justice over to God, allowing a spirit of love and forgiveness to fill us, providing us with a supernatural witness of the power of the gospel. Many evil men have come to salvation from this kind of witness.

To gain the insight of these verses, one needs to understand the life of Jesus and live as he did. As the Son of God, he humbled himself to a shameful death on a cross to purchase our salvation. How do we resist the powers of darkness and advance the kingdom of God? By going the second mile when called upon to do so.

Prayer

Father, there have been many sermons preached and much written on going the second mile, but the bottom line seems to be our surrender to your will to accomplish your desire for us in doing kingdom work. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to walk the second mile to give his life so that we who were spiritually dead in our sin could be forgiven and obtain eternal life. Father, help each of us be willing to go the extra mile, to sacrifice whatever is necessary to benefit someone else by living out our faith.

See "The Commands of Jesus" Index to view other commands.