I Would Walk 500 Miles

When I was a kid, I used to listen to The Proclaimer’s “500 Miles” (almost) non-stop. I don’t know if it was their Scottish accents, or if I actually liked the song, but it made me happy, and so I would continue to listen. As I grew older, I would wonder if that was what I really thought love was, doing whatever it took, walking 500 miles, and then another, just to fall down at the door of the woman I loved. The last few weeks, however, I discovered something similar about TRUE love: it’s not about romance or pursuit. True love, that self-sacrificing unselfish love, is about going as far as it takes to serve others.

This last week, I drove about 1,100 miles through 5 States for someone. I do not say this to boast. I only say it because I am exhausted, and, looking back, I wonder, if I had known how long it actually was, if I would do it. I would have, but it would have probably made me a bit more trepidatious. Yet, that is what love does. It’s the same love Jesus showed us, and it’s the love He wants to develop in us. Jesus left heaven for us; He became one of us, living as we do, growing, learning, and facing trials, hardships and temptations. He faced hardship, abandonment, and, especially, abuse by the people he served and came to save. And yet, he loved and died for us anyway.

Loved ones, we shouldn’t love merely as a romantic gesture, or a way in which we can feel better about ourselves. We should love, as Jesus did, sacrificially. We should not merely go the extra mile, but go as far as it takes to serve and love one another, and to show our enemies the mercy and grace we have been shown while we were yet Christ’s enemies. Let us strive, not merely for Jesus, but to be like Him. He moved heaven and earth to reconcile us to Himself in His life, death, burial and resurrection. How, then, ought we to live if we claim we follow Him?

Matthew 5:38-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.