Going The "Extra Mile" With Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For January 17, 2006

Read: Matthew 3:13-17; Psalm 71

GOING THE "EXTRA MILE" WITH JESUS

"Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Mt. 3:15)

Have you ever had someone "go the extra mile" for you? Perhaps it was a teacher who didn't have to take the extra time away from his or her own schedule and family to help you over a "hump" in your life, but did. Perhaps it was a neighbor who gave you a job doing something he would normally have done himself, just so you could earn some money to buy your mother a birthday present. Perhaps it was a supervisor at your place of business who stood up for you when a mistake on your part put you on the "hot seat" and in danger of losing your job - putting his or her job in jeopardy if you were to "relapse" in your judgment or behavior.

Certainly all of us can think of someone who has "gone the extra mile" for us or for someone else. To "got he extra mile" might be defined as "performing a selfless act of service to another when there is no need to do so and no benefit for the person going the "extra mile." Perhaps you also have "gone the extra mile" for someone else. If so, then you also know that "going the extra mile with Jesus" can have costly results for the one who does so. For you and me, as the redeemed children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, there is a marvelous and wonderful example for "going the extra mile" which inspires and informs our own such behavior.

There are a number of important theological and spiritual principles and insights to be seen in the various accounts of Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River. The one that most stands out for me is Jesus' response to John's question, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (Mt. 3:14). Jesus' response has profound meaning and importance for us for He reminds us that John's baptism for repentance wasn't necessary for Him but for us.

"To fulfill all righteousness" was the Father's purpose and will for Jesus as He took on our human flesh, put Himself under God's Law, and suffered the same temptations to sin as we do. Although perfect and holy - without Sin - Jesus was the "perfect Son of the Father" that Israel and all humanity had failed to be. In order for God's Will to be perfectly obeyed for us so that He could bear our sins on the Cross in our place, Jesus had to do what God had commanded for His people. In this case it meant being baptized by John, setting a perfect example of obedience to the Father's will.

Jesus' didn't need John's baptism. From a human perspective He didn't need to subject Himself to the same "requirements" we have before God. Yet, for God's plan of salvation to work, Jesus had to go the "extra mile." It was an "extra mile" that continued throughout His ministry in Israel all the way to the Cross. Because Jesus went the "extra mile" for us and took on the guilt of our sins and the sins of the whole world, you and I stand before the throne of God's grace, forgiven of all our sins and filled with the hope of eternal life with Christ in heaven.

As Jesus went the "extra mile" for us so that we might have forgiveness of our sins and life eternal through faith in Him, so are we called to "go the extra mile with Jesus" for one another and others who don't yet know His love and forgiveness. Jesus' example of "going the extra mile" encourages us to acts of selfless love and compassion toward the welfare and service of others, regardless of how "nice" or how much "like us" they may or may not be. Whenever we "go the extra mile" in service to others, we are "going the extra mile" in our service to our Lord. Because Jesus went the "extra mile," subjecting Himself to John's baptism and suffering and dying on the Cross, we have been saved; our sins are forgiven. What a wonderful blessing to share with others as we follow Jesus' example and "go the extra mile" so that others might also have life with God.

Prayer: Father, it's so very easy for me to focus only on myself - keeping my "nose clean" and "playing it safe." Why would I want to risk my comfort and safety, and perhaps put myself in danger, for someone else, particularly when I know I've got all my "stuff" in order and I can't "save" anyone else anyhow? Father, such a question is loveless and ungrateful to You. Forgive me for such arrogance and lead me to greater humility and service through the power of Your Word and Spirit. Remind me every day that "going the extra mile with Jesus" for the sake of others is an act of love and service to You as well. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.