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go the extra mile

Matthew 5:40 & 41
"40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."

We have returned to the Gospel of Matthew for some more CHALLENGING teaching from Jesus. HIS standard is higher than equity and ballace. It's beyond what's fair. It's shocking; "...whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other ALSO." The old way was to respond in kind, with as good as you got. Jesus's way is to offer up yourself for more of what you just got! It's very disturbing to us. Who can do this? 

In case we are missing His point, Jesus continues to make His point in today's verses; "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak ALSO." If they take your jacket, give them the shirt off your back too! And, check out; "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." In this day and time the Roman occupation force could make anybody they met on the road carry their backpack for one mile. Jesus is telling the people; when this happens to you... go an extra mile!

These teachings rubs the selfish sinners (you and me) the wrong way. This is a radical idea that you are not obligated to take revenge. We don't want to use the Holy Scriptures to take advantage of a situation. Christianity is not about getting advantage over another. It is about sacrifice to another. Following Jesus's example. 
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