The Second Mile Club
Jesus said, “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matt. 5:41). If Roman soldiers and messengers needed help to carry out a commission, they had the authority to enlist the aid of regular citizens. That is what happened when soldiers made Simon the Cyrenian help Jesus bear his cross. Jesus used this practice which Jews resented to teach a lesson about making extra effort and being patient.
The Israelites had this spirit when they first built the tabernacle. Moses told them to bring their free will offerings and use their abilities to do this job. They did. In fact, they gave over and above what Moses asked. He even had to tell them that they had done enough and that no more was needed. “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done – indeed too much” (Exod. 36:6-7). What a great and unusual problem!
The good Samaritan did what a priest and Levi wouldn't do. He stopped and helped a man who had been beaten half to death, bandaging his wounds and taking him to an inn to take care of him. That was more than those Jewish leaders were willing to do, but he did more. When he left, he gave money to the innkeeper to pay for the care of this wounded stranger and said, “Whatever you spend, when I come again, I will repay you” (Luke 10:30-35). That is going above and beyond the call of duty!
The church of Macedonia was poor—very poor. Paul says they were in “deep poverty” (II Cor. 8:2). Yet when they heard that the brethren in Judea needed food because of a terrible drought, they gave very liberally and were happy to do it. Paul said that “according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing” (II Cor. 8:3). They were the least able and yet the most willing to help!
Onesimus was a bondservant Paul converted. He was separated from his master Philemon. Paul sent him back to Philemon and wrote a letter requesting that he receive his servant. In that letter the aged apostle wrote these impressive words: “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (Philn. 21). No wonder Paul used an imploring tone rather than an authoritative posture in this short epistle. He knew that Philemon was not the kind of Christian who would do just enough to get by.
There is a second mile club in just about any congregation. If they are asked to clean the kitchen, they will clean the hall as well. If they are asked to give 50 percent extra for a special contribution, they will give 100 or 200. If they are asked to visit a homebound widow, they will pay her a visit and do chores for her and even stop at another widow’s house. They are glad to give extra money, effort and time.
This is an elite club. Are you in it?
Kerry
West End church of Christ • April 13, 2025