The Second Mile

We often hear the phrase "going the Second Mile" in our modern conversation, but it actually has its roots in first century Palestine.During Bible times, the Romans had conquered much of the known world and ruled with an iron hand. A Roman soldier could compel a subject of one of the conquered lands to carry his backpack, or "load," for him one mile, but only one mile. When Jesus spoke to His followers in the Sermon on the Mount, He said to them..."If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles" (Matthew 5:41 NIV).The choice to go the second mile is the key that unlocks the secret of joy in difficult circustances. It has the power to transform a tiresome, menial walk into a joyful act of giving; to infuse a contentious relationship with a new spirit of kindness and generosity; and to change an individual's self-perception from that of a victim to a victor.The Second Mile represents a much higher law - the law of kindness, generosity and love.