The Extra Mile

We have all heard of people who go the extra mile for someone else. Of course that refers to putting forth greater effort and more patience in waiting for a positive response from another person. On some occasions that response never comes and we wonder if all that effort was wasted. However, when the desired result does take place, the satisfaction causes us to forget all the difficulties we endured. Perhaps that is what Jesus felt when we read that he endured the cross for the joy that was set before him.

Jesus certainly set the example in going the extra mile. In Mark 14:32-42 we read that while the disciples waited and even slept Jesus "went a little farther and fell on the ground and prayed...." As Jesus prayed we note that he went a little farther in responsiveness to the Father. He said to God, "Not what I will, but what You will." The experience that was before him was not humanly desirable but Jesus was willing to go through it in response to his Father's plan for our redemption. In accepting that plan Jesus also went a little farther in courage. The more difficult a task the more courage we must summon to complete it. No task was more difficult than for the perfect, sinless Son of God to accept the wages of our sin upon himself. However, Jesus went the extra mile and did just that. Finally, Jesus went a little farther in obedience. Philippians 2:8 says Jesus was "obedient to the point of death." While he could have called the angels to his rescue, he did not.

The impact of Jesus' extra mile becomes real when we understand that He put forth all that responsiveness, courage and obedience on our behalf. Now He patiently waits for our response. Some have not responded at all. Others have a weak, intermittent response. Some have made a full commitment demonstrated by daily faithfulness in praise and service. How difficult it must be for Jesus to have gone the extra mile and then wait patiently for us to respond.