Knowing The Word in Luke 18:1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Comments

When praying, people often do not see the answer they are looking for, and it is easy to get discouraged. Jesus urged his followers to keep on praying in telling this parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge. The judge is self-centered and loves no one but himself. The poor widow could not bribe the judge or use any influence against him. All she had was that she was in the right. She expected to win out as she wore down the judge. The point of the parable—that his disciples should always pray and not lose heart—is illustrated by the story such that if a wicked person, as illustrated by the judge, can sometimes do good, how much more good will God do! While we may think of the elect as those who are privileged, they are in great need of God and are called to service, even hard service, such that God is their only hope.

Application

Do you consider yourself called by God into service for him, making you part of God’s elect? Spend some time with God right now, listening to his call to you.

Prayer

Father, thank you for selecting me and putting your Spirit into me. Continue to mold me into the follower of Jesus you desire me to be.