Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is: Extra.

Extra – more than is expected or due. To go above and beyond.

This is the definition which comes to mind upon seeing the word prompt. It also brought to mind to “go the extra mile.”

Perhaps this was the point of Jesus’ teaching known as “The Sermon on the Mount.”

The Pharisees had twisted the law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

“If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” (Matthew 5:40-41, NASB)

In essence, Jesus is telling us to do more, don’t stop at the requirement or minimum. Do extra.

Jesus turns the thinking of our day on its head. He calls us to give up rights for the good of others;  to live lives of grace and not be judgmental; to not think of ourselves more highly or privileged than others; to pray for our enemies (or those who dislike us).

We won’t be able to live this way in our own selves or strength. Living this way goes against the grain of our human nature.

To go the extra mile, to do more
will require abiding with Jesus every moment of every day.
For He alone can make us different.

**This song came to mind just as I finished writing …

Image by Jenny Hernandez from Pixabay
Today I may be joining: Five Minute Friday .