"Going the Second Mile" March 15, 2009

Scripture Passage: Luke 6:27-38 A successful businessman, approaching retirement, was asked the question, "To what do you owe your success?" "Any success," he replied, "I have achieved in my public or private life I owe to three little words. Those words are and then some." He went on to explain, "Early in my life I saw the difference between those who achieved success and those who did not. The winners, the achievers, did what everyone else did and then some. They worked as hard as others and then some. They were as dependable as others and then some. They did their job just like everyone else and then some."

American corporations are spending millions of dollars today to teach their employees the secret of this “and then some” philosophy. Seminars and best selling books that teach the magic of these words are touted in every business magazine. It seems the sports world has known the secret for years. Often the coach has said, "For us to win this game our players will have to perform at one hundred and ten per cent!" That is, they will have to give everything they've got and then some!
The principle is widely known today, at least, in theory. Its practical application to life, however, is more difficult. There is within us a strong tendency to look for an easier way, to look for a short cut. Our eye is easily caught by the approach to life that appears more casual and less costly. We want the dividends of a dedicated life but we want to make as little investment as possible. We may be like the person who was confronted by a door to door salesman. "Sir," he said, "I've got a labor saving device that will cut your work in half." "Great," he replied, "I'll take two of them!"

When Jesus shared these words found in Luke 6:27-38, a shock wave must have gone through the crowds. He was calling His followers to live 1. A Radical Lifestyle Radical meaning “Marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional.” Listen to the kind of radical lifestyle that Jesus calls us to (Read Text). Jesus was challenging his listeners to take a quantum leap in attitude and lifestyle. He was attempting to take them to a plane of life they had never considered, indeed, never knew existed. But Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him. He never promised a problem-free life, a life of comfort and ease. The people hearing these words for the first time had been carefully taught an approach to life that said "eye for eye," "tooth for tooth," tit for tat, do it to me and I'll do it to you! Do what is expected, what comes naturally, what makes logical sense. Jesus said, "But I tell you..." With this word of contrast, "but," Jesus was about to introduce these people to a revolutionary and unheard of approach to living. He laid it before them in the most practical of terms.

For instance, "Anyone can love those who love them in return. Do that, and then some. Love those who hate you." This is not a feeling or desire, but an act of the will. "Anyone can loan to those who will pay them back with interest. Do that, and then some. Loan to those who will never pay you back." "Anyone can bless those who bless in return. Do that, and then some. Bless those who curse you in return." "And if someone takes your coat let him have it and then some. Give him your shirt also."

In the parallel passage, Matthew 5:41 (Also in the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus said, "If someone forces you to go one mile, do that, and then some. Go beyond the first mile. Go two miles!” The background of that particular statement is significant. The land of Israel was occupied by the military forces of the Roman Empire. One of the malicious military privileges afforded the soldiers was that they could, by law, demand that a Jewish male, twenty one years of age or older, carry the soldier's pack for a distance not to exceed one mile. Unbelievably, Jesus was demanding that the Jews, not only endure this demeaning practice, but double it by going beyond the first mile.

In this passage, Jesus was not talking about carrying backpacks and He was not talking about a single isolated act. Jesus was calling for His disciples to live A Second Mile Lifestyle. Jesus was calling for a revolutionary change, a totally new and radical approach to relationships and social behavior. This radical style of living would characterize his followers and easily distinguish them from the rest of humanity. His disciples would be a people who lived their lives beyond the first mile! Jesus has called us (His disciples) to live our lives daily beyond the first mile. Jesus has called us to live beyond the minimum standards of the world. So how are we doing?

2. A Reciprocal Lifestyle By reciprocal I mean “To return in kind or degree.” In the world we say, “What comes around goes around.” But in the Bible, specifically, in verse 38 Jesus gives the kind of faith action that leads to great blessings, "Give, and it will be given to you." Unfortunately, this verse is rarely quoted except in the context of a message on money. To apply this remarkable statement only to dollars and cents is to tragically undervalue its meaning. Jesus, here, refers to a biblical and spiritual principle alluded to dozens of times in his teaching ministry. This principle goes beyond dollars and cents to touch every area of human experience.

The Principle of Giving and Receiving is woven into the very fabric of God's creation. The basis of the "Golden Rule," found in Luke 6:31, is the Principle of Giving and Receiving. The treatment we give to others determines the treatment we receive from others. Jesus elaborates, "If you go through life showing mercy to others, you will receive more mercy than most people." "If you go through life forgiving others you will receive more forgiveness than most people."
We see this principle at work all the time. Which student gets the most out of the educational experience? Is it the one who goofs off, neglects homework, and doesn't prepare until the cram session before the final exam? Not usually! The student who receives the most from school is the one who throws himself or herself into the work, who does the work assigned and looks for ways to earn "bonus points."
Who gets the most from their job? Is it the employee who arrives late, leaves early, and uses every excuse to avoid or delay getting the job done? Never! That employee makes himself miserable trying to do as little as possible. "Doing nothing" is the most tiring work of all. The employee that receives blessings and satisfaction from the job is the one who does everything expected "and then some."
Who gets the most out of their church life? Is it those whose involvement is only on the fringes and margins? No, the best of the church experience and fellowship is for those who give themselves to the life of the body, the church. The more you give, the more you receive. That’s why we see the early church experiencing such incredible joy even in tough times. They were the fellowship of the second mile.
The powerful truth underlying the Principle of Giving and Receiving is that it gives us a measure of control in what we get out of life! We can exert some control over what we get out of life by what we give along the way. Jesus is teaching, "You can affect what you get out of life!"

This message is everywhere! Just look around! The sun gives. The clouds give. The earth gives. The plants give. My nose is telling me the trees and the flowers have been giving quite a bit lately! All creation is caught up in a frenzy of giving. This should not surprise us. Creation is simply reflecting the Creator! God is a Giver. That is His nature. That is why Luke 6:35 says that those who give will be known as "children of the Highest," that is, they behave as their Father. It is a family characteristic. It is in the family DNA! When we give we are practicing a family tradition! It put us "in sync" with creation! And, when we are selfish and withholding of ourselves we are violating a principle and pattern of the universe.

We affect what we get out of life by what we give. It’s true! If you go through life smiling at others you will receive more smiles than most people. But if you go through life frowning, you will probably receive more frowns than most people. If you go through with a positive attitude, you will receive positive affirmations. But if you go through life with a negative attitude, you will probably live as a negative person. If you go through life forgiving, you will receive forgiveness. But if you go through life bitter and angry, you will probably receive more anger and bitterness in your life. What you give is what you get! It’s amazing! Going the second mile works!

God has so constructed creation that you do not lose by giving. It is impossible to give yourself away. It really is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And when we begin to give ourselves away, not holding back, we discover joy and we discover those rich rewards promised those who go beyond the first mile. But God has also so constructed creation that you do lose when you try to withhold. Fruit not picked rots on the tree. Water not allowed to flow becomes stagnant. Jesus said that the person who tries to hold on to their life will eventually lose it (see Matt. 16:25). He also taught in a parable (the story of the talents, Matt. 25:14-30, esp., v.29) that the person who is not a faithful steward of life will lose everything he has and it will be given to someone else who is faithful. Strong warnings about the foolishness of trying to hold on when we should be releasing.
Living a second mile lifestyle is really just following the life of Jesus. When we go the second mile we are imitating Christ who everyday of his life lived beyond the minimum standard. He took no short cuts. He cut no corners. He held nothing in reserve. He lived His life and finished His race. Remember when he fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes? Everyone's need was met and they had twelve baskets of food left over. That is meeting need and then some! Remember when He told the disciples to cast their nets? They couldn't pull them in for the quantity of fish! That is meeting need and then some! Remember when Jesus turned the water into wine? He filled six water pots with one hundred and eighty gallons of wine! That's meeting need and then some!

That's the way Jesus lived every day of his life. And, that's the way He died. The Cross at Calvary lies far beyond the first mile marker. His sacrifice was real and it was costly. He did it all for you! Now, He calls "Come, follow Me!" Live as I have lived. The power to live as Christ lived comes from His living presence in our lives.
3. A Rewarding Lifestyle
Jesus does not call us to Life Beyond the First Mile to make our lives more difficult. Just the opposite is true. Jesus wants us to experience and enjoy those blessings and benefits that are found only beyond the first mile. Life's greatest lessons are learned when one journeys beyond the minimum standards where the majority seldom venture. Many people never learn those lessons, nor enjoy those blessings, because they never do more than they "have to do." People are always surprised with the discoveries they make beyond the first mile. Beyond the first mile lies a land of spiritual adventure and achievement. What can we can anticipate when we aspire to Life Beyond the First Mile?

When we move beyond the first mile we discover joy which is much different than happiness. We experience a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. We feel a deep sense of investment and significance. Our lives take on a new meaning and purpose because we have become associated with something greater than the usual. A noted American psychologist spoke of "the first layer of fatigue." Most people work until they get tired and then quit. Thus, all they know of work is getting tired and quitting. The joy of great achievement is never theirs because they never venture beyond the first layer of fatigue. They never do more than the average. They never do more than the others. They never do more than expected. They set no goals. They win no victories because they fight no battles. Life for these people is totally predictable.

They remind me of a pioneer who built his cabin beside the first water hole he discovered. But the spring produced so little water that the pioneer's primary work every day was drawing enough water to meet that day's requirements. His life, of course, was filled with a sense of "sameness" and boredom. The greater tragedy, however, was that if he had ever journeyed just over the next hill he would have discovered a vast crystal clear lake teeming with resources. The pioneer never knew such a place existed because he journeyed no further than he had to. Joy is discovered when you go the second mile.

Medically, it has not been proven, but distance runners commonly speak of getting their "second wind." They say that after an initial period of running it gets easier. Their breathing becomes more rhythmic and their stride becomes more relaxed. Many of us might satisfy ourselves with a short little jog and never enjoy the phenomenon of "the second wind" known by the serious and committed runners who push themselves beyond "the first layer of fatigue."

The moment we move beyond the first mile our first discovery is joy. When you look at the early church, you find a people who were living second mile lifestyles. They loved, they forgave, they were merciful, they were different, they were like Jesus, they also had joy and peace. Paul, the Apostle, wrote Philippians, the book of joy from prison!

Response 1. How am I living? Do I practice the bare minimum? Do I love, accept, forgive, show mercy to, etc. only those who first to it to me? Do I get little out of life because I’m not putting much into it?
2. What will it take for me to live a second mile lifestyle? Be more accepting, more forgiving, more merciful, more patient, more like Christ? Will I go beyond my circle of friends? Will I show forgiveness first? Will I tame my tongue? Will I go the second mile? The question is, “am I really serious about being like Jesus?”

And if so, “What will need to change in my life?” My attitude? Do I have the attitude of Christ? My priorities? My desires? My schedule? The company I keep? It’s hard to fly like eagles when you’re living with turkeys.

When the church is the church, when believers are committed to Christ and one another, then we will go the second mile and then we will see God do some pretty amazing things!