Second Mile Service – The Lofty Principle Of Christian Service
Categories: Bible Study Lessons
In the days of the Roman Empire, our Lord gave His followers these instructions:
“And whosoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41).
Under Roman rule, it was not unusual for Jews to be pressed into service for the purpose of assisting soldiers and couriers in the performance of their duties. Such tasks were especially distasteful to the Jews because they disliked being under Roman rule.
A Very Long Mile
In the above passage Jesus pictures one who is obliged to accompany such men for a distance of one mile. To the proud and reluctant Jew, this must have been a very long mile! But now the Lord tells them that even after traveling that difficult distance, they were still a mile away from where the Lord would have them to be! To these Jews, such was indeed a difficult saying.
The Sermon On The Mount
The principle of second mile service is repeated time and time again in the Sermon on the Mount. For example, not only are the Lord’s followers to be righteous, their righteousness is to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).
Second mile service means more that not killing — it means not hating (Matthew 5:21-22). It means abstaining from adultery and from the lust that leads to it (Matthew 5:27-28).
Other Aspects Of Second Mile Service
Second-milers not only do not forswear themselves, they “do not swear at all” (Matthew 5:33-34); they not only forego seeking revenge, they turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39). The citizens of Christ’s kingdom do not hate their enemies — they love them (Matthew 5:43-44).
For them, going the second mile means more than a casual seeking of the kingdom of God and His righteousness, it means seeking it “first” (Matthew 6:33). Faithfulness is more than being a mere hearer of His word, it means doing it as well (Matthew 7:21).
By such standards it is not difficult to see how many of these Jews were a “mile” off in much of their thinking and practice — and the exact same distance from daily walking with the Lord.
The Principle Of Second Mile Service Today
Unfortunately, the passing of two thousand years has not diminished the distance to Christ-pleasing service. Christ is still found at the two mile mark, even though many seek Him at a lesser and more convenient distance. Even among the Lord’s own followers, many are still thinking in terms of “how little can I get by with” and still be acceptable.
The Lord doesn’t get much mileage from this kind of attitude (usually less than two miles). Folks, those who try to “just get by” — won’t get by (Matthew 7:21-23). None are more deceived than those who seek fellowship with Christ in the areas of half-hearted, and begrudged service. He’s not there — only in the distorted imaginations of lukewarm would-be Christians (Revelation 3:14-16).
A Question From The Sermon On The Mount
The following question posed in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is still appropriate for today’s Christian: “What do you do more than others?” (Matthew 5:47). Serving Christ means being more and doing more — this is the real essence of second mile service and this is the dividing line between His true and would-be disciples that cling to the world (cf. Mark 4:18-19; 2 Timothy 4:10). Through His word, Christ directs men in the way of second mile service to a righteousness that exceeds (Matthew 5:20).
Conclusion:
Brethren, let’s again look at the Sermon on the Mount and seriously consider our Lord’s teaching. Failure to appreciate and apply the principles of truth found in this soul-stirring sermon could cause us to miss heaven — and we could miss it by a country mile!