“And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said: ‘I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.'” Genesis 24:19
In the sermon on the mount, the Lord Jesus spoke of those characteristics which would be seen in true believers, true followers of Christ. One of the great, and most fundamental characteristics was selflessness, the consideration of the other person as more important than oneself. These selfless instances would speak of going the extra mile, or second mile. The Lord said: “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” (Matt. 5:41) Why does the Lord Jesus instruct His followers to do this? It is certainly because the greatest manifestation of the love of God in and through a life, is the consideration of the other person and their needs. Sometimes this means, though there is the moral obligation to do good, to aim at the higher calling to do it twice, or more. Paul once told the Corinthian believers, “You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.” (2 Cor. 6:12) It was the littleness of love, the smallness of affection towards others, that limited the Corinthians in their ministry and mission to others. It has also been said that the measure of one’s compassion is the measure of his usefulness. It was again the Apostle Paul who wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (2:4) Because of the Spirit of Christ who indwells the believer, there will be the increasing experience and blessing of looking to love and serve others. This is the outworking of Christ in the heart and life.
With respect to not going just the moral obligation of one mile, but choosing to go the second one, there is a wonderful illustration in the Old Testament, which not only was a beautiful picture of a faith-filled believer, but the proof of God’s blessing upon the individual, a blessing that would have extraordinary ramifications. It had to do with Abraham, who was praying for and seeking a wife for his son. Abraham sent his most trusted servant on a voyage of over four hundred miles by camel, to the place where some of his family lived. It was there that his servant was to accomplish the impossible task of finding a wife for Isaac, not only by choosing her, but by seeing the hand of God in making her willing to leave her family, to travel so far back to Hebron. Abraham’s servant was a godly man, a man of prayer and faith, who believed in the faithful God of Abraham. He traveled that long way, and came to Nahor, his destination. It was there by a well of water that he prayed, asking God to grant him success, and to “…show kindness to my master, Abraham.” (24:14) He also asked for something that was very peculiar: “…Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’ let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac.” (Gen. 24:14) Not only did Rebekah “quickly” let her pitcher down, when he had finished drinking, but she also said of her own accord, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” (v. 19) What was it in Rebekah’s heart that Abraham’s servant was seeking? What was the confirmation that he was seeking from God? It was selflessness, and a servant’s heart. Why? Because only God gives such grace to go a second mile. Here was Rebekah giving a stranger water to drink, but then, considering his camels, ran back to the well and drew water for them until they were finished drinking. She was not thinking of herself, but of another, not realizing what the blessing of selflessness was proving to Abraham’s servant. Rebekah’s selflessness would lead her to God’s appointed husband.
Dear Father, Make us second-mile people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.