Second Mile Forgiveness

If you have been a Christian for very long, you are probably familiar with the account of Joseph in the book of Genesis. His father’s obvious favorite, he was mocked and despised by his brothers, who eventually sold him as a slave.

That was just the beginning of the trials in Joseph’s life, but no doubt it hurt. His brother’s heartless hatred didn’t define his later relationship with them, however, and although he did exercise some caution at first, the forgiveness he offered was sincere and had no strings attached.

His brothers had a hard time believing that his forgiveness was genuine, though, and when their father died some years later, they sent a messenger to Joseph, telling him that their father’s dying wish had been that Joseph would not punish his brothers for their wrongdoing. Joseph’s response is remarkable:

“Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” (Genesis 50:19-21)

Not only did Joseph willingly extend forgiveness to his brothers, he also extended active love, nourishing instead of punishing.

And his care for his brothers (all eleven of them, plus their families!) was not just material. Both times he speaks of his brother’s wrongdoing, he speaks for their comfort, not excusing their sin, but voicing his trust that God meant it for good.

In Joseph’s case, part of the good God intended could be clearly seen already, but you and I know how God would later use the exodus to show His power to the whole nation of Egypt, as well as all the nations around who heard of what God had done.

To love those who have wronged us feels impossible, contrary to nature, even, but that is the very thing Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father, which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (vv.43-45)

Just before this passage, we see some very practical ways to demonstrate Christlike love to our enemies, one of which always stands out to me as particularly difficult for those Jesus was speaking to.

In Jesus’ day, the Roman Empire had conquered Israel, and we know from history as well as from accounts in the Bible that Roman soldiers were pretty much everywhere. To the Jews, the Romans were the enemy, and many Jews hated the Roman soldiers, chafing under their authority as you and I would if our nation were taken over and a foreign army sent to keep us in check.

One policy in the Roman Empire, and specifically in Judea at the time of Christ, dictated that a Roman soldier could demand that any native of the conquered land carry his pack (weighing around 60lbs.) but only for a distance of one mile. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus references this practice, saying,

“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

Did the Roman soldiers “deserve” to be given that extra mile of relief from their heavy packs? Probably not. But the point is Christlike love.

Did you and I “deserve” Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for our sins? Definitely not! But Jesus did it, not only in obedience to the Father, but out of love for us. After all, Jesus was the one who said,

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

And yet, this great love was shown to us while we were still enemies of God:

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Joseph’s forgiveness and purposeful acts of love towards those who wronged him are proof that obeying Christ’s command and following His example is possible.

If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, you have received not only His forgiveness, but also the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who gives you the power to do the impossible in obedience to God.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32