Last week we talked about the Sermon on the Mount and the wisdom behind God’s laws.
Jesus goes on to make some radical statements about how to care about people. For example, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
In our culture, this makes little sense. But in occupied Israel, a Roman soldier could force anyone to carry his heavy pack up to one mile. This was difficult and demeaning.
But Jesus invites his followers to an act of radical generosity. Rather than carrying the pack the required one mile, they should go the extra mile. Why?
Imagine what might happen during that extra mile. Perhaps the soldier would ask why you are offering more than what’s required. Perhaps a conversation, even a friendship, might happen. Maybe there might be an opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Of course, lots of times none of that will happen. But maybe the soldier goes back to his barracks and asks his comrades, “Has anybody else had this kind of strange experience?”
Or maybe he just sits and wonders about the source of this sort of generosity. And maybe he’s a bit kinder the next time.
You and I know how kindness and love are contagious.
Imagine encountering a person engaged child sex trafficking. Imagine inviting that person to join you for a meal, offering them medical care, encouraging them to become part of your Bible study. If you’re like me, you can’t imagine doing that, because all you want is for that person to be punished for their crimes.
But that’s exactly what Project Rescue missionaries do every day. They follow Jesus’ invitation to demonstrate radical generosity, to go the extra mile, with people who absolutely don’t deserve it.
None of this is normal or comfortable or easy.
I don’t think it’s supposed to be.