Unconventional Power

When you read the gospels, Jesus seems like a nice enough guy. He’s kind. He’s a good teacher. He heals and helps folks. But when you zoom in on specific moments, he can seem extreme or even insane.

While preaching the Sermon on the Mount to people living under Roman oppression, Jesus says, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41). The whole audience probably gasped with disgust toward this idea. By rule of law, Roman soldiers could legally force Jewish people to lug their equipment for up to one mile. The cruel rule dehumanized people, treating them like pack animals. And now Jesus wants us to care for these oppressive overlords by offering to give them two miles?!

Is he crazy? Isn’t that just being passive and weak? Doesn’t that allow evil to win?

From the perspective of our world, yes. This way of Jesus seems weak and even foolish. But the scene from The Chosen pokes at something we can all sense. That desire to “get even” inevitably leads to increasing harm and hostility. But the power of forgiveness and love is stronger, resulting in something we all want.

As the disciples overcome their shock about Jesus’ claims—and perhaps their suspicions about his sanity—they choose to trust him. And the most unexpected thing happens. When they choose to shoulder the equipment one mile more, the soldiers are baffled. Why are these people we treat so poorly choosing to treat us so well?

Their prejudice and pride are exposed, and not because of retaliation or even accusation. One simple act of love slowly reveals that the people these soldiers have despised are not animals to use and abuse; they’re human beings. It’s as if God’s healing love wakes them up to basic reality, and their blindness is overcome by his light.

Jesus’ instruction to go the extra mile illustrates a key conviction woven throughout his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Good change only happens with God’s kind of power, the power of lovingkindness and good will expressed toward all neighbors, including our enemies.

Reflection Questions

• As you watched the scene from The Chosen, how did you relate to the disciples’ attitudes and responses? What would a similar scene look like in your own world today?
• The disciples fear brutal treatment and the pain of humiliation, as we all do. How does John describe a remedy for this fear in 1 John 4:15-19?
• The BibleProject video emphasizes Jesus’ choice of ordinary, low-status people to lead humanity into the Kingdom of God. He doesn’t start with powerful, wealthy, or influential people. What does that tell you about God’s character and the way people live with one another in his Kingdom?