Going the Second Mile Scott Pauley

Posted in ,

Website-Icon (2)

Going the Second Mile

It doesn’t mean much to us, but to the crowd Christ was speaking to, it was radical, revolutionary, even ridiculous.

“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (Matthew 5:41).

The Jews lived under constant Roman oppression. One demand by a Roman soldier or citizen would require a Jewish person to carry their burden for a mile. It was an inconvenient and unjust law.

Israel lived in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. One who would deliver them from such tyranny! Now, here He stood…telling them they should carry their Roman neighbors’ pack for a second mile?!?

Surely this could not be what He meant. But it was.

In this one verse lies the secret to true joy.

As a runner, I can tell you that the first mile is the hardest. Physically and mentally, I don’t get my second wind and find my stride until the second mile. This is also true in the spiritual realm.

The first mile is law, but the second mile is love. Real liberty is found beyond the law. It is here that supernatural grace is given.

Go the extra mile in your relationships and responsibilities. You will not find much traffic on the second mile, but you will see Jesus there. He is a second-mile Savior, and He wants His followers to join Him there…

How can you go the extra mile today?

Resources:

About Scott Pauley

Listen to a recent Bible message on The Second Mile.

Discover more from Enjoying the Journey

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Post Author

Scott Pauley

More from similar topics

| | |

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent Posts

Now, I am no engineer! But the principle applies to us all: The easiest thing in the world is to have a complicated life. The hardest thing in the world is to have a simple life. You have to work hard to keep it simple.

You Have to Work Hard to Keep it Simple

October 13, 2026
The idea of building a monument was not that of Joshua, but of God. God instructed Joshua to have twelve men remove a stone from a prescribed place, place it on their shoulders and bear it up out of Jordan. It was to be taken to their place of lodging. What purpose could possibly be served in carrying twelve large river rocks approximately six or seven miles to Gilgal? God said to! In Joshua, we find that God is a monument builder. 

The Monument Builder

October 9, 2026
In the Second Boer War in South Africa, 13,000 British troops were trapped for 118 days in what is now known as the Siege of Ladysmith. Food diminished, and disease grew. Worst of all, discouragement set in. A civilian was arrested, tried, and sentenced to a year in jail for being a discourager! This man was not a traitor, but he walked around town and spoke discouraging things to men who were on guard against the enemy. The deepest wound you can inflict is to wound a person’s spirit (Proverbs 18:14). Image of the relief of the siege

The Power of Encouragement and the Peril of Discouragement 

October 8, 2026
In 2 Kings 5, we read a tale of three servants: Naaman, the Little Maid, and Gehazi. No matter your past, you can find healing like Naaman. Regardless of your circumstances, like the maid, God can bless and use you for eternity. Even if you have experienced great victory, you can fall into sin, just like Gehazi.

Bible Biographies: Naaman, the Little Maid, and Gehazi

October 7, 2026

Categories

2 Comments

  1. Jordan Asbury on November 16, 2017 at 8:14 AM

    You have no idea how much I needed this. Praise the Lord!

    Reply
  2. W. L. Graham on November 17, 2017 at 8:02 PM

    The reminder is always good! –and helpful! The first step of the second mile is the first step of freedom!

    Reply

Leave a Reply