Go the Extra Mile!
During the period of the Roman Empire a vast network of roads were built linking the empire in all directions. Some scholars believe the central marker in Rome was made of solid gold, never ones for being subtle. At each mile along the roads to and from Rome was a mile marker, hence the phrase all roads lead to Rome.
Jesus spoke of these roman mile markers when he said to his followers to go the extra mile (Matt 5:41). A phrase that lives on today. During the time of Jesus, a Roman soldier would be travelling the road carry his whole life on his back. His gear was said to have weighed up to 50 kgs including weapons, clothes, food, tents and cooking gear. The law was that a person would be required to carry a soldier’s gear allowing him to be fresh to fight a battle. Refusal to do so would result in beating or execution.
There were several things that were distasteful about this law, not the least of which was that people were being forced to comply with a law that many considered immoral and objectionable. However, the teaching of Jesus provides an insight that many people live by today. We will often say, I went the extra mile, and encourage others to go the extra mile. It’s a phrase reflecting success and achievement.
My thought for today is not so much what you achieve or how you achieve but what compels you to achieve, to go the extra mile?
Are you compelled by a cruel master?
Are you compelled by the circumstances and situations of life?
Are you compelled by a relentless internal drive to succeed?
Are you compelled by following the teachings of Jesus?
In order to go the extra mile, we must overcome violence, greed, revenge, injustice and most of all compliancy and sense of entitlement. Every time we find an excuse not to go the extra mile we sink back into mediocrity and a life lived well below our potential. A life to be ruled by our cruel masters, rather let us take the message of Jesus to heart. A message that can bring radical change, blessing, empowerment, and justice for all.
Go the extra mile!