Matthew 5:40-42
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Romans 12:12-13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Devotion
Jesus continues to teach about kingdom living and our attitude toward those who would offend us. In verse forty, He describes those who would offend us through lawsuits or through forced labor. This is a continuation of the theme from yesterday: retaliation/pride. The kingdom principle here is not primarily the avoidance of lawsuits, but a radically unselfish attitude to one’s rights and property. Once again, we recognize “one’s rights” being emphasized. The Scriptural truth concerning “our rights” is clearly spelled out in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” Once we cross over that line of faith, we sign the title deed of our lives over to God. We are not our own! We surrender “our rights” and submit ourselves to God. Therefore, we must learn to hold material possessions loosely. The things of this world are temporal. The gift of God is eternal. In our dealings with those who would oppose us, we must not lose sight of God’s ownership over everything.
In verse forty-one, Jesus addresses a common practice in first century Rome. According to Roman law, a soldier could force a civilian to carry his gear for up to one mile. Here, Jesus instructs His disciples to go the extra mile! Once again, we see the principle of “service” being reiterated. The Jews fiercely resented such impositions. According to Jesus, rather than resisting, or even resenting, the disciple should volunteer to carry the gear for an extra mile. This act of service would serve as a testimony to those who would make these unfair demands. We must view suffering as an opportunity to reflect the heart of Jesus to those who would offend us.
These are not easy principles to live out in a world that is hostile toward God and His people. But we must remember this: Do not seek retaliation, but always seek reconciliation. Our actions should always reflect the heart of our Savior. Jesus came to reconcile mankind to God. He came to redeem lost humanity. Everything we do and say should reflect redemption and reconciliation. This is the heart of Jesus and should be the heartbeat of His people. Jesus made it very clear, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Here in America, we are living in a time of unprecedented trouble. It is important that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We must live with eternity (God’s kingdom) in view.
Questions to Ponder:
How do you view your life and your possessions in view of 1 Cor. 6:19? Do you hold the things of this earth loosely? Are you able to live in this physical world with eternity in view? How do you feel about the radical “service” Jesus talks about in going the extra mile? Does pride keep you from living out these kingdom principles in the here-and-now?
Prayer Points
- Worship God for who He is.
- Confess for the times that You exercised your right over your life instead of submitting to God’s desires for your life.
- Thank the LORD for being the servant of all who left heaven’s glory and took on human flesh to be the perfect spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
- Ask God to give you opportunities to go the extra mile and live out the values of the Kingdom.
Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You for being my Savior, redeemer and friend. Thank You for reconciling me to Yourself. Thank You that although I was an enemy and far from You, Your kindness led me to repentance. You removed the blinders from my eyes so I could see. Thank You for Your unlimited patience. Thank You for Your mercy and amazing grace. Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ who took on the sins of the world so that I might receive Him and have everlasting life. Thank You that nothing or no one will ever snatch me from Your hand. Eternity has been written upon my heart and I am engraved in the palm of Your hand. I rest in Your redeeming love today.
Now I ask that You lead me to others who need to hear and know about Your amazing love. Father, just as You sent Your Son into the world, You have called and sent me. Give me a greater passion for those that are far from You so that I will unashamedly be an ambassador for Christ. In the Name of Jesus Christ I ask these things. Amen.