Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
Last time we thought about the most obvious meaning of Jesus’ story of “the unjust judge” - the judge who is both like God (he has the power to put things right) and unlike God (he refuses to do so until the widow gets on his nerves) - it is a story to encourage God’s people to persevere in prayer: “they should always pray and not give up”. I hope it had that effect on all of us.
I did point out also, though, that while we should never “give up” praying in a negative sense (“Oh, I’m just wasting my time. What’s the point?”) there are times when it’s necessary and right to cross something off our prayer list, so to speak, because God has given us a clear “Sorry, but no - this is something I intend to use for your good”. The example of Paul and his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12) sprang to mind.
So far, I hope, so good.
But I didn’t get round to another vital theme which runs like a thread through the story: justice. The passage is of just eight verses; but that word occurs no less than four times, in verses 3, 5, 7 and 8. So when Jesus speaks of “always praying and not giving up” he seems to have mainly in mind the importance of never ceasing to pray for justice.
God cares about justice. Throughout the Bible he is portrayed as a God of justice. From the beginning he warns his people that they will suffer injustice. And his promise is that ultimately he will see that justice is granted to them.
This means that if the judge stands for God himself, then the helpless widow stands for his people. This is spelled out in verse 7: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?”
Have you ever struggled to understand the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation? If you have, you can feel comforted that you are in good company - for two thousand years of Christian history this strange book has perplexed generation after generation of readers.
But running through it, crystal clear, there is a stress on the fact that God’s suffering people will ultimately be vindicated by him. Whatever the exact meaning of all the metaphorical details, this stands out clearly.
There is a particularly moving example in chapter 6. The “Lamb” (obviously a reference to Jesus) has been handed a scroll which is sealed with seven seals. Each time Jesus opens one of these seals something dramatic happens. See what follows the opening of the fifth seal...
“...I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been killed because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained...”(Like the widow in Jesus’ story) “...they called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer...”
I love that detail about the white robe - signifying purity and godliness. It’s as if God is saying to them, “Yes, I’m afraid that you must be patient for a little yet, but be assured that you belong to me, and I will not fail you.”
See how this passage chimes in with Luke 18:1-8? Is it any wonder that while those of us who live in the comfortable western world scratch our heads over Revelation, the millions of the persecuted in many parts of the world seem to hug it to themselves as comfort and reassurance?
The challenge is obvious: If God cares so much about justice, what about us? Do we also? Or do we turn a blind eye, enjoying our comfort while millions suffer? Is it time, perhaps, to take a serious interest in one of the many Christian organisations and charities which exist to support and lobby for those suffering injustice? They greatly need our interest, our prayers, and our money. I think particularly of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Barnabas Fund, though there are many others to choose from.
Let’s remember too that justice is indivisible. While our main focus, understandably, is on our suffering fellow-Christians, the fact is that there are all sorts of other groups having it just as bad - some belonging to other religious groupings, some suffering for reasons of political conscience.
Terrible things are happening around our world. If we as Christians stand aloof, who will speak up for such people?
Jesus’ story ends with an abrupt and rather strange question: “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” The implied answer seems to be, “Well, if he does, it won’t be a lot!”
I suggest that as we reflect on all the implications of this little story, we make up our minds what our reply to Jesus’ question is... “If it’s got anything to do with me, YES HE WILL!”
Lord God, in a world that is full of corruption, lies, cruelty and injustice, help me, even in my own small world, to be a champion of truth, honesty and justice. Amen.
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
Last time we thought about the most obvious meaning of Jesus’ story of “the unjust judge” - the judge who is both like God (he has the power to put things right) and unlike God (he refuses to do so until the widow gets on his nerves) - it is a story to encourage God’s people to persevere in prayer: “they should always pray and not give up”. I hope it had that effect on all of us.
I did point out also, though, that while we should never “give up” praying in a negative sense (“Oh, I’m just wasting my time. What’s the point?”) there are times when it’s necessary and right to cross something off our prayer list, so to speak, because God has given us a clear “Sorry, but no - this is something I intend to use for your good”. The example of Paul and his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12) sprang to mind.
So far, I hope, so good.
But I didn’t get round to another vital theme which runs like a thread through the story: justice. The passage is of just eight verses; but that word occurs no less than four times, in verses 3, 5, 7 and 8. So when Jesus speaks of “always praying and not giving up” he seems to have mainly in mind the importance of never ceasing to pray for justice.
God cares about justice. Throughout the Bible he is portrayed as a God of justice. From the beginning he warns his people that they will suffer injustice. And his promise is that ultimately he will see that justice is granted to them.
This means that if the judge stands for God himself, then the helpless widow stands for his people. This is spelled out in verse 7: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?”
Have you ever struggled to understand the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation? If you have, you can feel comforted that you are in good company - for two thousand years of Christian history this strange book has perplexed generation after generation of readers.
But running through it, crystal clear, there is a stress on the fact that God’s suffering people will ultimately be vindicated by him. Whatever the exact meaning of all the metaphorical details, this stands out clearly.
There is a particularly moving example in chapter 6. The “Lamb” (obviously a reference to Jesus) has been handed a scroll which is sealed with seven seals. Each time Jesus opens one of these seals something dramatic happens. See what follows the opening of the fifth seal...
“...I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been killed because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained...”(Like the widow in Jesus’ story) “...they called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer...”
I love that detail about the white robe - signifying purity and godliness. It’s as if God is saying to them, “Yes, I’m afraid that you must be patient for a little yet, but be assured that you belong to me, and I will not fail you.”
See how this passage chimes in with Luke 18:1-8? Is it any wonder that while those of us who live in the comfortable western world scratch our heads over Revelation, the millions of the persecuted in many parts of the world seem to hug it to themselves as comfort and reassurance?
The challenge is obvious: If God cares so much about justice, what about us? Do we also? Or do we turn a blind eye, enjoying our comfort while millions suffer? Is it time, perhaps, to take a serious interest in one of the many Christian organisations and charities which exist to support and lobby for those suffering injustice? They greatly need our interest, our prayers, and our money. I think particularly of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Barnabas Fund, though there are many others to choose from.
Let’s remember too that justice is indivisible. While our main focus, understandably, is on our suffering fellow-Christians, the fact is that there are all sorts of other groups having it just as bad - some belonging to other religious groupings, some suffering for reasons of political conscience.
Terrible things are happening around our world. If we as Christians stand aloof, who will speak up for such people?
Jesus’ story ends with an abrupt and rather strange question: “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” The implied answer seems to be, “Well, if he does, it won’t be a lot!”
I suggest that as we reflect on all the implications of this little story, we make up our minds what our reply to Jesus’ question is... “If it’s got anything to do with me, YES HE WILL!”
Lord God, in a world that is full of corruption, lies, cruelty and injustice, help me, even in my own small world, to be a champion of truth, honesty and justice. Amen.
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