The Parable of the Persistent

Widow

Luke 18:1-8

Introduction

• Jesus sometimes used parables to teach important lessons to His disciples– An important part of being a disciple is

the ability to communicate with God by prayer

– At least 3 parables are told to teach about prayer•“The Friend at Midnight” (Lk 11:5-13)•“The Persistent Widow” (Lk 18:1-8)•“The Pharisee and the Publican” (Lk 18:9-14)

The setting

• Luke 17:20-37– Jesus explains

•That the kingdom will not be physical, but spiritual

•That the disciples will suffer and wish for Jesus’ return

•That many false Christ’s will appear•That they will have to be on guard so they are not led astray

The setting

• Luke 18:1– Jesus then wanted them to understand

the need for PERSISTENCE in our prayers•Persistence means not giving up•The same thing He taught in “The Friend at Midnight”

•Jesus knows it is easy to become discouraged

•Especially considering the upcoming persecution

The Parable

• Luke 18:2– The character of the judge

•Did not fear God nor regard man•So he is NOT a fair or righteous judge•Sometimes called “The Parable of the Unjust Judge”

The Parable

• Luke 18:3– The distress of the widow

•She has some adversary who has wronged her

•She is seeking “justice”

• Luke 18:4a– The difficulty she faced

•The judge doesn’t care about justice•Repeated requests get nowhere at first

The Parable

• Luke 18:4b-5– The judge finally relents

•Not out of a need for justice•Not from a sense of right and wrong•Simply because he is tired of hearing the widow

The parable applied• Jesus explains the basic point of the

parable by applying the parable– Luke 18:6-8

•Hear what the unjust judge says– He did not fear God– He did not regard man– But he was moved to action by the

widow’s persistence

•Shall not God avenge His own elect?– If an UNJUST judge will act because of

persistence– How much more will a JUST God act

Contrast the petitioners’ relationship to their judges

The Widow• A stranger• Only one• At a distance• An unjust judge• On her own• Pleads her own

case• No promise of an

answer• Limited access• Asking provoked

the judge

Christians• His elect – 1 Pet 2:9-10• We are many• Boldly enter – He 4:15-16• A righteous Father• God is for us – Ro 8:31-32• An advocate – Ro 8:34• We have promises – Lk

18:8

• Unlimited access• Asking is what God wants

– Mt 7:7-11

God will avenge His elect

• Lk 18:7b– He may wait a long time, but He will

avenge•Rev 6:9-10•He is waiting for more to repent – 2 Pet 3:9

•2 Th 1:7-9– But vengeance is coming

•1 Th 5:1-3– When it comes, there will be no escape

But will there be faith on the earth?

• The Lord will come– He will avenge His elect

• But during the wait some will give up– Lack of praying for His return indicates

a lack of faith in His promise•We don’t believe He will return•We don’t believe in heaven•We prefer this world

• Jesus told this parable so that– We might always pray– We would not lose heart

Conclusion

• Are you praying?– Are you praying persistently?– Are you praying for the Lord’s return?

• God hears those prayers– Don’t give up– Don’t lose heart

• He will return as He promised– We serve and petition a faithful and

righteous God, not an unjust judge