Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice from my opponent.’ And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice, lest by continually coming she wears me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1-8
Introduction
Previously, we have looked at a similar parable teaching persistence in prayer. But this one is much more direct. In fact, this one even includes the key takeaway right in its introduction. The section begins by telling us Jesus taught a parable with the purpose of encouraging His disciples “at all times to pray and not lose heart.” Why would He need to teach this?
Is God not just (2 Thessalonians 1:6)? Does God not give generously to those who ask (James 1:5)? If we know these things about God, then why would the Lord Himself teach a parable comparing God to an unjust judge who is reluctant to give? Like with His previous teaching on persistence in prayer, it is a matter of lesser to greater. If even an unjust and uncaring judge eventually responds to enough appeal, then the most just and most caring judge certainly will!
And yet it is still not quite that simple. Jesus is teaching this parable so that His disciples will not lose heart. Does that mean God is slow to answer or to keep His promises (2 Peter 3:9)? Again, He is not. But His timing is not always our timing, and His purposes are far greater than ours (see the book of Job). Sometimes He allows us to stay in our place of discomfort so that we would seek Him all the more and be reminded that our hope lies only in Him.
What we might expect
For anyone with the title of “Judge,” one might expect someone well vetted and suitable for the position. But as we have seen throughout human history, this is not always the case. In fact, it is often the case that those who seek powerful positions do so for the sake of their own glory rather than any righteousness, justice, or common good.
But even these unjust rulers and judges know their duties. Romans 1:18-20 teaches us that everyone, even the atheist, knows God is God in his heart of hearts. And Romans 13:1-5 reminds us that all earthly authorities are there by the power and authority of God. So even those who reject Him and His ways know at some level that they are where they are for His glory and His justice. They may rage against this (Psalm 2:1-3), but that does not free them from His service in the end (Isaiah 10:5).
And not to lose heart
But the purpose of this parable, again, is to teach the disciples to pray at all times and not to lose heart. Because God is all the good things this unrighteous judge lacks, His answer to prayer will not be one of reluctance. His answer will be one of abundant joy and blessing to the one who believes, even if the answer is not the one that believer was expecting.
My mind is drawn to the famous allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan where he deftly portrays the apparent end of a martyr. Christian’s friend and companion, Faithful, is taken by the residents of Vanity Fair, a place where the appetites of the flesh are fulfilled boundlessly. They put him on trial for rejecting their way of life and sentence him to death where he is burned at the stake. This is a heart wrenching moment for both Christian and the reader. It seems our faithful companion Faithful is lost forever. But when Christian and his new friend Hopeful finally reach the Celestial City (which is heaven), Faithful is there waiting for them to put crowns on their heads and robes around each. He made it before either of them.
So even when your circumstances look dire, know that you are there for God’s glory and for your good. Pray earnestly and do not lose heart. God will answer your prayer, and our home is in His kingdom.
May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.
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