THE UNJUST JUDGE AND THE PERSISTENT WIDOW
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
May 9, 2010
Key Scripture
Luke 18:1-8
1 Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them
that they should always pray and not give up.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
– Prayer was always central in Jesus’ life
– This is not the first time Jesus used a parable to teach concerning prayer…
> “The Friend At Midnight”
(Luke 11:5-13)
> The Pharisee And The Tax Collector”
(Luke 18:9-14)
THE CENTRAL TRUTH
– The central truth states His introduction.
(1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.)
> The word translated “always” is Greek pantote, “always, at all times
> The word translated “give up” (NIV) or “faint” (KJV) in 18:1 is Greek enkakeo, “to lose one’s motivation in continuing a desirable pattern of conduct or activity, ‘lose enthusiasm, be discouraged,’
– Persistent prayer is the demonstration of faith in God who, while at times may delay His answers, will always act decisively and justly with respect to His people.
– God is the true Judge and Avenger not only for widows and orphans (Deut.10:17-18), but also for all the elect who cry for justice
The Details Interpreted …2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men…6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge
The Unjust Judge
– One who did not fear God nor regard man
– Jesus calls him “unjust,” Greek adikia, “wrongdoing, unrighteousness, wickedness, injustice.”
– An unjust judge
> The idea is that he took bribes and gave favors to persons who held position and authority
> He did care for conscience or law, for morality or justice
> He had no interest in helping anyone who would not benefit his in helping anyone who would not benefit his career or fill his pockets
> He was concerned with himself — his own opinions, his own comfort, his own income.
The Details Interpreted … And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
The Poor Widow
– Her Demand …‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
> She just wants justice. She is not asking for the advantage. She is just asking for justice.
– Her Disadvantages … And there was a widow in that town
> She was a widow and she had no husband to speak for her.
She was a woman and women were not allowed to speak in court.
> She was a widow and they were a segment of society that was oppressed and often taken advantage of.
> She was a widow and being a widow was synonymous with being poor.
> She had no money with which to grease the wheels of justice.
> She could not have paid a bribe had she wanted too.
> She let none of this to stop her
– Her Determination … who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
> The phrase “kept coming” is the common Greek verb erchomai, “come.” Here it is in the imperfect tense, indicating repeated or continued action in the past. She hadn’t come just once, but many times.
> She is persistent. She keeps on coming.
> Her persistence move the unjust judge…But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’
The Details Interpreted …4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ “
THE CONTRAST …The widow is contrasted with God’s people
> The widow is a stranger nothing related to the judge but God’s praying people are his elect
> She came to an unfriendly judge but we come to a loving Father who encourages us to come boldly to him.
> She came to an unjust judge, but we come to a righteous Father who is concerned for the weak and oppressed.
> She had no friend to speak for her, but “we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 John 2:1).
> She had access to the judge only at certain times but we may pray to God at any time.
> The widow came to a human court of law, but God’s children come to a “throne of grace with confidence.” (Hebrews 4:16).
> We may claim the promises of the Bible, but the widow had no promises that she could claim as she approached the judge.
The Details Interpreted … 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.
The judge is contrasted with our Heavenly Father
The Unjust Judge The Father
1. The unjust judge was unwilling 1. The Father is a Willing Father
2. The unjust judge is Unrighteous 2. The Father is a Righteous Father
3. The unjust judge is merciless 3. The Father is a Father Compassionate
4. The unjust judge is acting on selfish motive 4. The Father acts out of sacrificing love
5. The unjust judge was provoked by the importunity 5. The Father was pleased by our persistence