Sunday, July 15, 2018 Lesson: Luke 18:1-8; Time of Action: 30 A.D.; Place of Action: Perea Golden Text: And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8). I. INTRODUCTION. We have all seen cases where justice does not seem to prevail. Many of us have experienced injustices or have seen friends or loved ones suffer from injustice. We may have even prayed that God would intervene in a situation and mercifully grant justice. Many of us can probably identify with the widow in Jesus parable. We have seen the unjust judge in many forms and positions in our lives. In this week s lesson, we learn about God s will concerning a faithful prayer life. God desires that we continue to have a steadfast faith, even if we don t see results right away. In fact, there will be things we pray for our entire lives that we may not see come to fruition. God asks that we remain faithful and continue to pray anyway.
II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. About a week before the Passover and His crucifixion, Jesus and His disciples left Jericho for His final visit to Jerusalem (see Matthew 20:29). Jesus met two blind men who asked Him to have mercy on them and He gave them their sight (see Matthew 20:30-34). He and His disciples continued toward Jerusalem for the last time which would end in His crucifixion (Luke 9:51). As they headed to Jerusalem they passed through cities and villages teaching along the way (see Luke 13:22). During their travels, Jesus taught about who will be saved (see Luke 13:30), He lamented over Jerusalem (see Luke 13:34-35); He taught that mercy should be shown everyday (see Luke 14:1-6); He gave the parable of the ambitious house guest (see Luke 14:7-14); the parable of the great supper (see Luke 14:15-24) and three parables about counting the cost of discipleship (see Luke 14:25-27). Then in chapter 15, Jesus gave three parables concerning joy over repentance. In chapter 16, Jesus gave the parable of the unjust steward and the proper use of money (see Luke 16:1-13); He also taught about divorce (see Luke 16:18) and He told the story of the rich man and Lazarus (see Luke 16:19-31). In chapter 17, Jesus gave instructions regarding offending, forgiving, and faith (see Luke 17:1-6). And as He passed through Samaria, Jesus cleansed ten lepers (see Luke 17:11-21). In Luke 17:22-37, Jesus foretold His second coming. He not only covered a lot of physical ground on His last trip to Jerusalem, but He also covered a lot of spiritual ground with His teachings. This brings us to chapter 18 from which our lesson comes.
III. PERSISTENCE IS REQUIRED (Luke 18:1-3) A. Unrelenting prayer (Luke 18:1). With Jesus and His disciples continuing their journey to Jerusalem, our first verse says And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Since Jesus was speaking to his disciples in chapter 17:22-37, when Luke writes And he spake a parable unto them the word them refers to the disciples. The phrase to this end means that Jesus was about to tell His disciples the point of the parable even before He gave it. There would be no doubt about the purpose of the parable. The point or purpose of the parable was that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. The word faint here means to grow weary, or to give up. The word ought can be translated must and has the idea that something is required or necessary (see Matthew 16:21: Mark 13:10; Luke 2:49). It is our privilege and honour to be able to pray. It s also our duty to pray because Jesus said we ought always to pray. Since the Lord urges us to pray, we are sinning if we don t. Prayer must be our constant work. We must pray, and never grow weary of praying (see I Thessalonians 5:17). Note: Jesus is informing His followers that constant and steadfast prayer is necessary, and that we must continue to pray and never give up, no matter what happens or does not happen. It is significant that the encouragement not to grow weary in prayer indicates that God s response may not always come when we want it to. We may have to wait for it. Jesus did teach that God s vindication of the saints might take some time (see Luke 18:7). Prayer can help us stay in touch
with God and stay patient until He decides to respond. B. The unjust judge and the widow (Luke 18:2-3). 1. (vs. 2). In this verse Jesus continued Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. Two people are mentioned in this parable. The first person Jesus introduces was a judge. In Israel, the Roman government gave judges legal jurisdiction to settle disputes and other cases. In most cases, these judges were Jews. Jesus goes on to say that this was a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. Clearly, this judge was a godless man who had no desire to carry out the will of God on his own because he feared not God. In other words, this judge was not concerned about God at all. Not only did he disregard God, but he neither regarded man. He didn t care about his conscience, if he had one, or about his reputation or what others thought about him. This judge was not awed by the wrath of God against him, nor was he concerned about being censured by men. He was a perfect stranger to godliness and honour. So, it should not be strange for us to learn that those who don t reverence or fear their Creator don t care about their fellow man either. The truth is, where there is no fear of God, no good can be expected. Note: Such disregard for the Creator and humanity is bad in anybody, but it is very bad in a judge, who has power in his hand. Such power ought to be guided by the principles of mercy and justice, but if not, instead of doing good with his power he will be in danger of doing harm. Solomon said that wickedness in the place of
judgment (see Ecclesiastes 3:16) was one of the worst evils under the sun. 2. (vs. 3). This verse says, And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. The second person Jesus mentions in this parable was a widow. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament made it clear that widows, orphans, strangers, and the poor were to be treated fairly and not taken advantage of (see Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Isaiah 1:17; I Timothy 5:3; James 1:27). We are told that this widow came to the judge saying Avenge me of mine adversary. Simply put, she only wanted justice. The woman takes her problem to the judge and verses 4 and 5 indicate that she brought her problem to him again and again and again and again! Note: Unfortunately, even today, poor widows often have many adversaries, who barbarously take advantage of their weak and helpless state to invade their rights, and defraud them of what little they have. Therefore, magistrates or judges are especially charged not to do violence to the widow (see Jeremiah 22:3), but to judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow (see Isaiah 1:17). They should be their protectors just as God is (see Psalms 68:5). In this parable, Jesus doesn t tell us what the widow s problem was, but she was probably being oppressed in some way resulting in a civil dispute. In such a dispute, the judge was responsible for dealing with the woman s claims. Since she is a widow and alone, if she is to find justice, the judge has to be the one to provide it. Although this
judge was not known for his compassion because he didn t fear God nor did he care about men, he was still responsible for hearing her case. IV. PERSISTENCE IS REWARDED (Luke 18:4-5) A. The judge s delay (Luke 18:4). This verse says And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man. The widow met with difficulty and discouragement as she presented her cause before the judge who would not for awhile. In other words he tried to ignore her. According to his usual practice, he took no notice of her problem. She didn t have a bribe to give him, nor a husband or any great man whom the judge might respect to speak for her. So he did not even consider her grievances. For a good while the judge resisted. We are not told exactly how long he held out, but apparently he thought taking no action at all would get rid of her. But every time he held court, she was there. She had the right to keep coming back, because in that culture her case had to be heard. You know it s really sad that a man can know so much is wrong with himself, and not even try to correct it. The widow continued to go to the judge and eventually he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man. After being worried to death by this woman s persistence, the judge began to consider her problem. He hadn t changed the way he felt about God and man because he stated within himself Though I fear not God, nor regard man. He would only
help the widow because he was tired of seeing her as we will see in the next verse. If the last phrase he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man appears to be an incomplete sentence, that s because it is. The judge continues his thoughts in the next verse. B. Persistence pays off (Luke 18:5). This verse says Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. The word Yet connects this verse with the previous verse, where the judge declared Though I fear not God, nor regard man. Then he continued in this verse saying Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her. In other words, the judge says that he will hear the widow s case and give her justice only because she troubleth or bothered him. The widow s persistence finally paid off. Not only did her persistence trouble or bother the judge, he also declared that he was forced to do something lest by her continual coming she weary me. If he didn t respond to her numerous pleas for justice, the judge was convinced that she would eventually wear him out. Note: This judge was convinced that nothing was going to stop this woman s pursuit of justice. No doubt, she begged him for justice at his door, followed him in the streets, solicited him in open court, continuously crying out to him to avenge me of mine adversary which he was finally forced to do, to get rid of her. Because of the widow s persistence, or importunity (repeated demands or request), this parable is often referred to as the parable of the importunate widow. This widow represents Christians. There are times when we too are burdened
down with cares, worries, fears, troubles, and even persecution for our faith. During those times, it may seem that every circumstance of life is stacked against us. We may be tempted to say, What s the use? especially after we have prayed and prayed and prayed about something. Yet, if we can learn anything from this poor woman, let us learn that persistence in prayer pays off in God s time! So, we must keep praying, despite all the obstacles we may face and despite all the signs that say we should just give up! V. PERSISTENCE IS REVIEWED (Luke 18:6-8) A. God s concern (Luke 18:6-7). 1. (vs. 6). This verse says And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. Here Jesus exhorts the disciples to hear or pay close attention to what the judge said concerning his response to the widow s importunity (see Luke 11:5-8). At this point in the parable, Jesus identifies this judge as the unjust judge. Judges are supposed to insure that justice is done fairly and is equitable in every situation that comes before them. But until he felt like the widow was going to wear him down, he was going to show how unjust he was by completely ignoring her. Her importunity or persistence is what got her justice. 2. (vs. 7). This verse says And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto
him, though he bear long with them? Jesus was actually asking His disciples two rhetorical questions where the answers are implied in the questions. The first one is And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him? In other words, Jesus was saying, if an evil judge can be worn down like that, don t you think that God will surely give justice to His people who plead with Him day and night? And the second question was though he bear long with them? meaning will He keep putting His people off? Of course, the answer to the first question is yes, God will avenge His own people who call out to Him constantly; and the answer to the second question is no, He won t keep putting His people off. The term elect refers to God s people, His chosen ones, Christians (see Mark 13:20; Colossians 3:12). As God s elect we have the assurance that mercy will eventually come, even though it may be delayed. But it s true that sometimes when we are suffering, the Lord doesn t seem to answer quickly enough. But we must remember that God s delays don t mean that He is not acting on our behalf. What he may be doing is preparing His answer to our request that will be for our good (see Romans 8:28). If this widow prevailed by being importunate, how much more shall God s elect prevail if we are persistent in prayer. This widow was a stranger to the judge, but God s praying people are His own elect, whom he knows, and loves, and delights in, and is always concerned about them. Note: The widow was just one person, but the praying people of God are many (see Matthew 18:19), and if we all come to Him and agree to ask for what we need according to His will, He will answer (see I John 5:14). As the saints in heaven surround the throne of glory
with their united praises, likewise the saints on earth should besiege the throne of grace with our united prayers. Jesus applies this parable to prayer requesting that God will bring justice for his children. The words that God will avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him refer to the fact that God will avenge or inflict punishment upon those who have persecuted His chosen people, Christians over the ages. Note: As the church grew rapidly in the early first century (see Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7), it quickly came under persecution. As time went on, persecution arose from many places. By the end of the New Testament era, Christians were the target of official Roman persecution. Today, Christians are still suffering for their faith. Even in nations with a Christian heritage, true believers in Jesus Christ are harassed and ridiculed. Judicial decisions can sometimes limit religious freedom and encourage immorality. So the elect must continue to cry out to God for justice, which He will provide in His own time. So, according to this parable, what is it that God s people must cry day and night to him for? We ought to be praying against our spiritual enemies (see Ephesians 6:12). In addition, we ought to concern ourselves with persecuted and oppressed churches, and pray that God would give them justice, and safety. We must cry day and night, as if we believe our prayer will be heard. We must wrestle with God (see Genesis 32:24-26), like those who know the value of a blessing, and will not take no for an answer, because God s praying people are told to give him no rest (see Isaiah 62:6-7). B. Christ s return (Luke 18:8). Our final verse says
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Jesus declares that God will avenge or inflict punishment on the enemies of His elect, and He will do it speedily. This does not mean that God will do His work of avenging His elect today or tomorrow or even next week, although He could. But we must remember that God s timing is far different from ours (see Psalms 90:4; II Peter 3:8). Yes, God will avenge the enemies of His elect, but Jesus also asked His disciples: when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Although Jesus is the Son of God, He often used the title Son of man to describe Himself (see Matthew 16:28; 19:28; 25:31; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 22:69). This title was seen by Jews to identify the expected Messiah and is based on the great Messianic passage in Daniel 7:13. In the context of this lesson, it appears that Jesus is asking if He will find anyone still praying when He returns, because only the faithful pray. There can be no doubt that the Lord hopes to find faith when He returns. But will He? At His Second Coming when He will set foot on earth (see Zechariah 14:3-4), Jesus, the Son of man will come to avenge his own elect, to plead the cause of persecuted Christians. The question is shall he find faith on the earth? There will be some believers on earth when Jesus returns (see Revelation 7:4-14), but there will only be a few because the church will have been raptured. However, there will also be a great falling away from the faith before Christ returns (see II Thessalonians 2:1-3; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-5; II Peter 2:1-3; 3:3-7). The vital question here is not whether God will respond to prayer, but whether there will be faithful people who persist
in prayer and not lose hope until the Son of Man comes. Therefore, this parable is basically an encouragement for believers to continue in prayer without losing heart through difficult times as we wait for the Son of man to return. VI. Conclusion. We all should be aware of our prayer life. If we are praying in faith, we will not faint. If we stop trusting in the Lord, we will faint and stop praying. The lack of prayer is never with God. Jesus point is that if even an unjust judge will finally give in and grant a request, won t the Lord who loves us and saves us answer our prayers fully, completely, and speedily? His motives are pure and just. His mercy is steadfast and sure. He cares about every detail of our lives. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***