Go the Second Mile
Tony Nester
Matthew 5:38-42
38 ''You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
If it were reported that Jesus was in our town today people from all over would be crowding into our streets. They would want to hear his teaching, which hasn't been surpassed. They would hope to see a miracle; perhaps he would again feed thousands of hungry people when there was precious little food present. There would certainly be people who would cry out to him for a healing, for there are always the sick and dying who will try anything when the doctors can't give them much hope. There would be sceptics who would want to see if this alleged Jesus had the wounds of the cross on his body, for they wouldn't be looking for the ghost of Jesus, but the Risen Jesus himself.
But as exciting as it would be for people to see Jesus, there is something else of great importance they would want to see. Can you guess? They would want to see you who name Jesus as your Lord and Savior. They would want to examine Jesus' disciples. They would want to take a good look at Jesus' Church.
They would be asking, ''Does Jesus still have followers? Are these followers living as he asked them to live? How do they handle hard times and difficult situations? How well do they treat people? Would we want them in our neighborhood? If we pushed or opposed them, what would they do?
These are tough questions, but Jesus asked them first. In Luke 18:8, teaches the disciples to persist in prayer in spite of difficulties, but then asks, ''When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'' ( ...
Tony Nester
Matthew 5:38-42
38 ''You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
If it were reported that Jesus was in our town today people from all over would be crowding into our streets. They would want to hear his teaching, which hasn't been surpassed. They would hope to see a miracle; perhaps he would again feed thousands of hungry people when there was precious little food present. There would certainly be people who would cry out to him for a healing, for there are always the sick and dying who will try anything when the doctors can't give them much hope. There would be sceptics who would want to see if this alleged Jesus had the wounds of the cross on his body, for they wouldn't be looking for the ghost of Jesus, but the Risen Jesus himself.
But as exciting as it would be for people to see Jesus, there is something else of great importance they would want to see. Can you guess? They would want to see you who name Jesus as your Lord and Savior. They would want to examine Jesus' disciples. They would want to take a good look at Jesus' Church.
They would be asking, ''Does Jesus still have followers? Are these followers living as he asked them to live? How do they handle hard times and difficult situations? How well do they treat people? Would we want them in our neighborhood? If we pushed or opposed them, what would they do?
These are tough questions, but Jesus asked them first. In Luke 18:8, teaches the disciples to persist in prayer in spite of difficulties, but then asks, ''When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'' ( ...
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