Hi, all.
This Sunday the plan is to study together the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus told this parable ‘that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.’ The word translated ‘to lose heart’ can also mean to grow tired, weary, or exhausted. I suspect that most of us have experienced times when we wearied of praying for something, even something very good that we knew would be glorifying to God. So, this parable has meaning for us. Here are some things to be thinking about:
— The parable itself is simple: The Judge is basically wicked. He even says of himself (in v4) that he did not fear God and did not care what anyone thought of him. Thus, the judge is a perfect example of someone who could refuse even a worthy widow, indefinitely.
The Widow is relentless, who ‘kept coming to him’ (v3). We do not know much about her, except that she had an ‘adversary,’ that she sought justice, and apparently that she had no path to justice except through the unjust judge.
In the end, the widow wins out. The judge relents and grants her justice. The message is simple: If even this unjust judge will relent—who has no reason or inclination to be merciful—how much more easily and quickly will God answer the prayers of His saints?
Some people struggle with comparing God to the unjust judge. Is it hard for you? If so, why? If not, can you understand why some people have a hard time with the comparison?
— The things Jesus says after the parable are the hardest to grasp, for me. The promise is that God will give justice to His elect ‘speedily’ (v8). But, does the coming of God’s justice always seem ‘speedy’ to you? And, if God’s justice always comes ‘speedily’ then why is there any need for the disciples to be told to persevere in prayer? If it comes speedily why would you ever lose heart or grow weary in praying? How do you put these things together?
— At the end of verse 8 Jesus says, ‘Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ This sounds despairing to me. Why would Jesus doubt the presence of faith on His return? Why would He tell that to the disciples? How is this helpful for us?
May God bless the rest of your work week. See you Sunday.
Love,
Jim.
jwillia33 