But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. Christ neither shared nor taught such a view. Roman soldiers could force citizens of Israel or any foreigner to carry their backpacks for a mile. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. So what do you say? This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. Matthew 5:13-48, Denomination: Jesus isnt just passively walking with the soldier; he is sharing with him and even teaching him. A singer-songwriter and wannabe author, Corey blogs about faith, spirituality, and poetry at www.coreyfarr.com. Here we have the classics: love your enemy, give to those who ask of you, and turn the other cheek. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Pingback: God Is Not A Criminal | The Bible In Your Hand, Pingback: The Way of the Cross | The Bible In Your Hand, Pingback: The Mystery-unfolding Cross | The Bible In Your Hand, Pingback: The Mystery of Iniquity Satans Masterpiece of Deception | The Bible In Your Hand, Pingback: An Eye for an Eye | The Bible In Your Hand. However, the legal limit was 1,000 paces that is, one Roman mile (approximately half a mile today). New King James Version Go the Second Mile 38 "You have heard that it was said,'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person.But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. This identification of the children of God is powerfully meaningful. These words of Jesus would have been profoundly disturbing to his first-century audience. Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. Labs They saw the same picture in the good, the plagues of Egypt, the obliteration of the Canaanites, the death by night of Sennacheribs army, and many other instances. Thus, the subject was actually turned into an object to be used as a pack mule. JEWISH UNIQUIE LAW A Sermon about going above and beyond what is expected. Those who are Gods children have the same character as He has. But Jesus said to return love for hate, blessing for cursing, and goodness for evil. To the person of the world, there is no sense in Christs words. Yet far too few Christians apply themselves .to this principle. Word Count 2513 Great profit would be gained by studying every statement made by Christ in this sermon, but time and space will not be taken to do this here. No ruler in human history is like unto our God. ~Matthew 5:41 When Jesus spoke these words, the audience had a very firm understanding of the background. He simply says, Love your enemies. Therefore, anyone who can be classified as an enemy is to be loved. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. That life in you will produce the same character and manifest the same works as it did in Him. Why? Labs Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Publication date: Nov 19, 2015. They were their oppressors, and were hated by the Jews. This was very early in the life of the Disciples. They do not deserve it, but neither did we. The World English Bible translates the passage as: Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Permission granted to forward, reprint, post, download, or reuse in your ministry). About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, Cornelius. And he stared at him in terror and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Q 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. Let's refresh others as Onesiphorus (2 Tim. But the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. Of all the beings who have ever existed, no one has ever hated God more fiercely, cursed Him more savagely, done evil to Him more extensively, or persecuted Him more relentlessly than Satan. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. . (Exodus 20:1). In setting out the principles of that law, God has declared what He is and what He will and will not do. compels you to go one mile, go with him two. The second mile shows our true attitude toward serving Christ The Roman government, during the days of Jesus, gave their officers the right to press any citizen into service at any time. Word Count 2513 Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 Psalm . In thirty-seven verses the Lord says, The Law; Moses; ye say; ye have heard; or it hath been said, but I say unto you. Ye have heard that it hath been said, (old) An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, (new) That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! Geocoding At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. Edward Hardee, 7/2000) When Jesus bore this beautiful and truthful testimony of His Father, He knew all that God had done in the Old Testament. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : The Second Mile [going The Extra Mile / Faithfulness / Steadfast]. A good answer provides new insight and perspective. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? For less than $5/mo. They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. 4:12; 1 Pet. As surely as they have the same character, they will have the same behavior. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Listen to this: You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. see a Psychiatrist. " If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles." Matthew 5:41 These words of Jesus would have been profoundly disturbing to his first-century audience. God has no fellowship with the devil. 77, 78). He now taught another new law of the second mile. He would point to the changing of the law as clear proof that it was imperfect and needed to be changed. Time To Go The Second Mile. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. Theme: Showing the importance of taking the extra step. 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. If a man is a Logger - He wants to be a Good Logger The appearances certainly point to Christ as being at variance with His Father on what the law was and how it should be kept. T He said to them: Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. You have not lied to man but to God. When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. All rights reserved. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Human beings saw God pouring good upon the dwellers in Sodom and Gomorrah for a limited time, after which He exchanged the blessings for cursing, and the good for evil as He poured upon them the flood of fire and brimstone. Was John the Baptist conceived via an immaculate conception? If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And if I perish, I perish. Serving humanity in these ways, the law is a wonderful thing indeed, but the greatest wonder of all is that it actually protects human beings from God. 2014 -2019 by Lester B, Bentley, All rights reserved. For in critical terms, consider what Jesus teaches; "And if anyone forces you to go one mile, walk him two miles" ( Matt 5:41 ). And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. It will be shown when this point is reached that God acted out the role of a Savior exclusively, and that Christs sole objective was to bring them back from their own way to Gods. Title: Go the Second Mile In those days, it was not unusual for a Roman centurion to approach a Jewish man and tell him to carry the soldier's burden for a mile, and then, as the mile had been accomplished, to tell that Jewish man . N N Read full chapter Matthew 5:41 in all English translations Matthew 4 Matthew 6 King James Version (KJV) Public Domain PLUS Save 30% for the first year of a yearly subscription! Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. By this (love) shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35). (D)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Genesis 24:1-9 Matthew 5:38-48 Text Genesis 24:9-20 Of foreign origin; properly, to be a courier, i.e. Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. read more, Scripture: What temple is this? People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them. Do not let your adorning be externalthe braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. Matthew 5:41, Matthew 5:41-45. . The devil takes all these blessings and uses them to war against God, but for this God is not responsible. When God commits Himself to a pledge of that nature, there is absolute assurance that He will never vary from it in the slightest degree. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. For Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. Handed down. Our next post will be titled: An Eye for an Eye. read more, Scripture: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. It is in these moments that the opportunity for true witness is opened up.