relationships (Matthew 5:41) Selfishness Cannot Love

(Matthew 5:41)

Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY

This tiny verse has many layers to it.  I'm trying to put this exact hyperbole into a situation that might happen today in our country.  Well, not sure how often this actually happens, but like in movies and TV shows, when the police are chasing after criminals, they will sometimes commandeer a citizen's vehicle.  Although, this will rarely occur, and the situation that Jesus lays out, is taking it one step further.  

These next verses will put things into more perspective.  And keep in mind that it is "for the Lord's sake".  In other words, because we represent the Lord, we should be obedient to laws and customs... as long as they do not go against God's will...

(1 Peter 2:13-17)  Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

(Romans 13:1-7)  Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

At that time, Rome was busy taking over the world as they invaded countries to build and spread their empire.  And so, they had a strong presence in Israel, and 

Roman soldiers had the legal right to commandeer work animals and resources, as well as force citizens to do work for them.  An example where this happened is in Mark 15:21, when Jesus was struggling to carry His cross on the way to be crucified, and the soldiers pulled out a man from the crowd to carry Jesus' cross.  

Just so, if a Roman soldier was going somewhere and carrying a heavy load, he had full rights to make someone else carry his things.  I'm not sure just how often this happened (just like officers commandeering a vehicle);  but, if and when it did, being willing to go an extra mile would have impressed upon these Romans.  To be, not just an example of nonresistance, but to show loving service to the oppressor would have at least raised some eyebrows. Just like when Paul was imprisoned, he used this as an opportunity to joyfully share the gospel message with guardsmen, and lives were changed.

Now for another poignant and applicable verse to consider...

(Luke 9:23)  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Again!  Love rather than selfishness!  wow-wow-wow!!!  I'm getting a fuller picture of how much selfishness impedes the efforts of showing godly agape love to others!  As another verse says, it is not just to love those who are easy to love, but to love all people, as God loves them!!!  This is definitely not of ourselves.  We must first have God's love in our hearts, and then ask and allow God to love others through us, in His strength, help and guidance!!!  We just have to have willing hearts.  Then, in our personal relationship with the Lord, as He works for us, in us and through us, His love will be shared and lives will change!!!