Daily Devos
Notes
Transcript
Go the Second Mile
Go the Second Mile
Hey everyone we are back for another devo for this morning!
So often we are told to fight back, or get even.
Seek out vengeance.
An eye for an eye!
Tooth for tooth!
Hand for hand
Foot for foot
you get the idea.
Jesus said many things while he was here on earth on he spoke on retaliation and vengeance as well.
Let’s read what Jesus as to say about this.
“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.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Jesus is in the middle of his sermon on the mount.
Jesus was making lots of comparisons to the Ole Testament.
Here is no difference.
Jesus says, “You have heard it said....
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
We must be careful to no interpret this passage.
People were not literally taking an eye for an eye.
It was a way for the courts to help determine proper punishments.
Like you stole a cow, that means you will lose a cow.
Meaning that if there was punishment it would not exceed the crime.
Do not resist evil or an evildoer, maybe don’t be around them!
That would be wise.
Jesus is saying it do not fight against it.
Even if you have a legal right to do so, you have your eye ripped out— you have every right to have that other guys have their eye ripped out— But Jesus is encouraging us to not.
He calls us to live an unselfish attitude which not only doesn’t retaliate but also does not resist, even if you have the right.
Jesus is even saying if someone slaps you- they would have slapped backhand style.
Jesus is saying turn the other cheek and receive another.
Do not seek vengeance.
We can call this second mile love.
verse 40 is where we see these examples.
If someone wants to sue you and take your shirt then give them your coat.
Yet taking a coat in court was unheard of.
The coat was one of the most important possessions of a jewish person.
Here is Jesus again telling his disciples to go above what is asked.
In verse 41 we see being forced to go a mile but instead of just one going a on another mile- go two miles instead of one.
This again was a common practice.
Roman officials could force their people to perform little task here and there and one would carry stuff for them for up to a mile.
If you were asked to walk a mile go for a second.
Go above— rather than resisting volunteer for another mile.
This would have been unheard of and it would have set up apart as different to the people around you.
Give to the one who ask
Don’t turn any one away who wants to barrow.
But give freely.
This is second mile love.
Love that goes beyond the normal.
This type of love we are all called to do.
Are their people who just crawl under your skin?
Maybe a bully that you are glad you don’t have to see for awhile.
Whoever or whatever is causing you to want to resist and seek vengeance do not.
Instead offer up your coat, or to go another mile even though the law did not require an extra coat or for you to walk another mile.
But by doing this you will being to be different from those around you.
Show second mile love to those around you!