This morning I read from Matthew 5 and 6. The Sermon on the Mount always brings back fond memories of homeschooling and college. As a family we memorized Matthew 5-7, and then in college I had to do it again for a few courses! My hope is that I never grow tired of it but always find something I did not see before.

Today I was reminded by the section on loving our enemies: particularly going the second mile. I remember listening to a sermon illustration about the second mile that is just fascinating to me. Here is the summary that I remember:

A Roman law (as I understand it) during Jesus’ time was for Jewish boys to carry a Roman soldier’s sack one mile if requested by the soldier. A boy was not required to go any further. There was once a young Jewish boy who had sat and listened to Jesus speak about the principle of going the second mile and decided to put it into practice. The next time he was asked to carry the soldier’s pack, he gladly picked up the sack and walked the long mile with the man. When he reached the first mile mark, the soldier told him he was free to go. The young boy smiled and said he would gladly go with the soldier another mile. The man reminded the boy that it was not required but the boy still was ready to walk the second mile. After the second mile, the soldier turned to the little boy and said, “Why did you walk with me this second mile when you and everyone else are required just one mile. At that moment, the boy was able to share about what he had heard from Jesus.

I can only speculate but I believe that Roman soldier or officer listened very intently to the testimony of that young boy that day because of how the boy showed love and kindness to him. The first mile in life is always a duty: we do it because we are required. The second mile, if done with a cheerful and loving heart, will always bring glory to God! It is the second mile where people marvel at the grace of God and where we have the freedom to boldly proclaim the Gospel.