The Society of the Second Mile
Jesus created what we might deem the Society of the Second Mile. He presented a new option. Serve the ones who hate you; forgive the ones who hurt you. Take the lowest place, not the highest; seek to serve, not to be served. Retaliate, not in kind, but in kindness.
Roman soldiers could legally coerce Jewish citizens into carrying their load for one mile.1 With nothing more than a command, they could requisition a farmer out of his field or a merchant out of his shop.
In such a case, Jesus said, “Give more than requested.” Go two. At the end of one mile, keep going. Surprise the sandals off the soldier by saying, “I haven’t done enough for you. I’m going a second mile.” Do more than demanded. And do so with joy and grace!
The Society of the Second Mile still exists. . . . We have a second-mile servant in our church. By profession he is an architect. By passion, a servant. He arrives an hour or so prior to each worship service and makes his rounds through the men’s restrooms. He wipes the sinks, cleans the mirrors, checks the toilets, and picks up paper off the floor. No one asked him to do the work; very few people are aware he does the work. He tells no one and requests nothing in return. He belongs to the Society of the Second Mile.
—EVERY DAY DESERVES A CHANCE |
