Banquet With The King: Carry My Backpack …for Just a Mile?

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Carry My Backpack …for Just a Mile?

You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 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. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. Matthew 5:38-42

Meditate.

Punishment must match the injury.

- But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise. Exodus 21:23-25
- Anyone who takes another person's life must be put to death. Anyone who kills another person's animal must pay for it in full--a live animal for the animal that was killed. Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted-- a fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever anyone does to injure another person must be paid back in kind. Leviticus 24:17-20
- But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8
- Remember, do not charge interest on money you lend him (another Israelite) or make a profit on food you sell him. Leviticus 25:37

Walking along a dusty road in Eli, Nevada

On a hot day along a dusty road it may be difficult to walk one mile…carrying someone’s pack. So going two miles or more may be even more arduous. But that is just what Jesus is suggesting…go the extra mile—turn the other cheek—do more than is expected of you. At work—give extra effort. If something seems “good enough,” it isn’t. Do your best, not just good enough. I like this verse…

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT. (See December 29, 2013 blog post.)

It reminds me of the first time I heard that verse and was battling with a bad attitude about ironing my husband’s work shirts. When I started ironing them, as if ironing them for Jesus Himself, suddenly it wasn’t such a horrible task and my servanthood attitude changed. I try to apply that same attitude to all my housework…even cleaning toilets. If it seems just good enough—it isn’t. Clean the floors, toilet, and walls as sparkling clean as I would if Jesus were going to visit today. Is that like going an extra mile?

Jesus is calling us to do more than is expected of us. What can we do beyond what He wants us to do for Him? Helping others, serving, giving, and teaching others about Him? How will you respond to Him today? Respecting and serving others is respecting and serving Him.

Prayer ~ I thank you Christ Jesus my Lord, for You have given me strength to do Your work. You considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve You…1 Timothy 1:12 NLT. Give me skill and vision to see beyond myself, to have a good attitude and be willing to give extra effort to anything I do.

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life

and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

Portions reused from earlier Banquet with The King blogs.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Banquet With The King

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Carry My Backpack …for Just a Mile?

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