The Widow and the Judge

She was a widow with no position of power or money to “buy” justice. She used what she did have. She had the power to ask and ask again. In the story that Jesus told she pleaded with a worldly, uncaring judge. She “kept coming” to him and begging for “justice against” her adversary. (Luke 18:2-3)

At first this self-centered judge ignored her, but her persistence finally paid off. The judge thought, “Because this widow keeps bothers me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.” (18:4-5).

This seems like an odd story from Jesus. Why would Jesus tell such a story? It is not really about taking our troubles to a worldly judge, but about our taking our troubles to our heavenly Judge.

we know this because the story ends with Jesus saying, “Listen to what hte unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” (Luke 18:6-7)

Jesus is saying that we ought to pray God answers. Too many times Christians claim to have prayed, but what they we really mean is “I mentioned it in prayer.” When God doesn’t answer after the first prayer we give up and say, “Prayer does not work.”

When you have trouble, pray. When you have needs, pray. When your friend or loved one has a need, pray. When you have prayed, pray again. When you get no apparent answer pray and pray again. Never give up prayer. It is our only hope.

Perhaps God is waiting till we persist in prayer before he gives us the answer.

Lonnie Davis

Comments

comments