What Does the BiBle s
ay?
A weekly column of the Robison Street Church of Christ, 301 Robison Street. Send your questions to P.O. Box 846, Edna, Texas 77957.
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The Parable of the Persistent Widow
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1, ESV)
Are you a believer, a follower of Jesus? How is your prayer life? Here in this parable, Jesus tries to impress the need to pray on His disciples (Luke 18:1-8). This teaching comes on the heels of Jesus speaking to the disciples about the final judgment when God will set all things right. The disciples were wondering about when and where this would take place. Jesus told them it would be sudden and not when they would expect it (Luke 17:22). Of course, this is part of the reason they need to be constant in prayer.
So, Jesus gives a parable about a judge and a widow (Luke 18:2-5). The parable presents a dilemma between the powerful and the powerless. Though the woman has no social standing, her persistent plea for justice moves the judge to act on her behalf.
Jesus’ application is straightforward and simple (Luke 18:6-8). It is an argument from the lesser to the greater. If the unrighteousness judge would answer the widow’s persistent pleas, then surely God, who is great and merciful, will vindicate His people if they persist in crying out to Him in prayer.
No doubt some of us can relate to those who, like Luke’s original audience, feel powerless and oppressed by a hostile culture/world. As we wait for the coming of the Lord, our patience and faith may be challenged, dimmed, or eroded by suffering/persecution. We may wonder, like the original disciples, and those in Luke’s day, “How long, O Lord?” The challenge then is to trust in God’s vindication while trusting in His timing as to when that is best (2 Pet. 3:8-9).
But Jesus’ second point of application is also significant. When God’s vindication comes, will He find the saints persevering in prayer and faith (Luke 18:8)?
– Phillip Stuckey – [email protected] “Come and see. Come and hear the good news of the Gospel. We meet at the corner of Robison and Church Streets on Sunday at 9:30 AM for Bible classes for all ages and 10:30 AM for worship and again at 6:00 PM for worship. We also meet on Wednesday at 7:00 PM for Bible classes for all ages.”
