What did Jesus say? 

Go The Extra Mile

• Matthew 5:39-42:   “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.”

In Other Text: 

• Colossians 3:12-13:  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
• Leviticus 19:17-18:  You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Challenge: 

What does “going the extra mile” really look like in today’s culture? In a world that values instant gratification, how can we learn to look to the interests of others? Holy Spirit is always at work within us calling us to choose to walk with others through difficult, messy, and painful seasons. 

Going the extra mile starts with learning to initiate honest conversations. Then making the choice to love at all times, giving the same honor, respect and dignity that we would want ourselves.  It’s learning to stay at the dinner table when the conversation gets awkward and uncomfortable.  We must choose compassion over judgment, humility over entitlement, patience over frustration, and forgiveness over a grudge. It’s learning to “go the extra mile”.

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