The Parable of the Unjust Judge - Luke 18

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

Luke 18:1-43

Jesus called the judge in this parable "the unjust judge."  He was someone "who did not fear God nor regard (or respect) man."  Recently a judge in Baghdad, Iraq made the national news, as he was to preside over someone accused of serious crimes.  He said, "Nobody is above me, except God."  The unjust judge of this parable felt that he was the highest judicial authority in the city.  There was no place for God in his courtroom.  He did whatever he wanted to do.

A widow came to him, saying, "Get justice for me from my adversary."  We don't know who her adversary was, and we don't know what kind of justice she sought, but the judge did nothing for some time.  However, the judge's inaction prompted the widow's persistent action.  She wouldn't let him alone.

The situation got so bad that the judge began talking with himself.  He concluded, "Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me."  The widow received the justice that she had requested and sought.

The Lord would have us listen to the words of the unjust judge.  He said, "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?"  The judge is telling us that if he would respond to the persistent cry of the widow, surely God will avenge the injustices suffered by His chosen ones.  "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily."

Christians can be quite lazy and complacent when it comes to prayer.  Some believe that it's wrong to pray for something more than once.  To them a lack of faith is displayed when praying for something twice.  They would say, "Pray, believe God, and leave it at that!"  That's easy to say when the going is easy.  In the light of this parable it doesn't make any sense, either.

Jesus told this parable of the unjust judge "that men always ought to pray and not lose heart."  Luke 18:1. That's the purpose of the parable. 

The unjust judge poses an interesting question: "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"  The answer is debated among Christians.  Some say yes, and others say no.  But on a more personal note, if He returned today would He find us trusting Him?  Would He find us to be people of prayer, who did not lose heart?

 

Lord, You know our hearts, and we know that vengeance belongs to You.  Teach us to wait on You prayerfully, persistently, and patiently.  We pray in Jesus' name.  Amen!

 

Zacchaeus - Luke 19

 
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