Parable of the Persistent Widow
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Introduction:
1. This parable concerns three things: power, weakness and need.
2. This parable declares that God is powerful and we are weak resulting in a need which only God can provide.
3. To be clear this parable does not teach that God is unjust.
4. It does not teach that we have to pester God to have our prayers heard.
5. Jesus did not teach that if we pray long enough God will cave in and give us what we want.
6. Rather, we must understand that this parable teaches that God is our power source.
7. We realize through this parable that we are in no position to save ourselves but God is willing to help us.
8. When we will not give up we will be able to run joyfully to God for our salvation.
9. Luke provides us with the point of this parable when he states, "men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
10. Let us examine the players, persistence, and the point of prayer.
I) The Players of the Parable
A) Unjust Judge
1. God has always cared for those that are his children.
a. He takes a special need for those that cannot take care of themselves.
b. In the Old Testament he provided for these needy, widows, using judges.
(i) Exodus 18:21-22 - Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
(ii) These judges were to be righteous men exercising righteous judgment for the widows and helpless.
(b) Exodus 22:22
(c) Jeremiah 22:3 - Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
c. In the New Testament, Jesus reveals his hatred for those who "devour widow's houses."
(i) Mark 12:40
(ii) Matthew 23:14
d. James 1:27 teaches us that one of the tests of "pure religion" is how we care for those that are hopeless.
2. Returning to the parable, we read of an unjust judge.
a. He was not a Jewish judge.
(i) Luke 18:4
(ii) He did not fear God.
(iii) He did not have any regard for his fellow man.
b. He was probably a man appointed by Rome or Herod to judge the people.
c. The character of the judge makes the parable dramatic.
(i) The judge's character implies that he would have taken bribes.
(ii) It shows that he would render a perverted judgment.
(iii) He is the self-serving, corrupt judge that we despise today.
(iv) It is clear, then, that this judge would never consider himself to be an instrument of God's justice.
B) Persistent Widow
1. She was a widow.
a. She had not husband to protect her.
b. In Jewish society, as it was in most of ancient times, women were vulnerable.
(i) Their identity was tied to their fathers until they married.
(ii) Upon marriage their identity was tied to their husbands.
(iii) A widow, being extremely vulnerable, would usually rely upon her sons for care.
(iv) If they had no sons then there was very little to protect them.
2. We read of this widow being without husband and evidently without a son who cared for her.
a. It was the responsibility of the leaders of the society to care for her needs.
b. Evidently they did not.
3. Her vulnerability allowed someone to take advantage of her.
a. This person is the unnamed adversary.
b. But her character was unchanged.
(i) She did not seek revenge.
(ii) She did not seek a malicious judgment.
(iii) She sought a legal and just recourse to the events that fell upon her.
II) The Persistence of the Widow
A) The widow needed to be avenged.
1. She desired vindication; a successful punishment of the one who offended her.
2. She comes before the unjust judge because she has no other means to defend herself.
a. Her reliance upon this judge was a last resort.
b. She forcefully asked for vindication.
c. She was bold and sure of the outcome of her case.
B) The Unjust Judge did not care.
1. He had no regard for man so he cared none for this widow.
a. She had not money for a bribe.
b. She had no influence in the community.
c. She only had a righteous plea of justice and deliverance.
2. He desired a motive to act.
a. Such is the case of those who fear not God.
b. They are not motivated by righteousness because they do not know what it means.
c. She could not defer to public opinion because he did not care what men would say.
d. The case was hopeless.
C) The widow's last weapon was her persistence.
1. Certainly there was occasion to give up.
a. The Unjust Judge may not have even heard her case.
b. The Unjust Judge refused to give her relief from the destruction wrought by her adversary.
c. He simply put her off.
2. We are not sure of how long he put her off.
a. But we know that it was long enough for the Unjust Judge to be annoyed.
b. She wearied him.
(i) The word is translated literally she strikes me black and blue.
(ii) She would not take no for an answer.
3. The Unjust Judge was persuaded for personal reasons.
a. He wanted to get rid of her.
b. Though his actions were right his motive was wrong.
III) The Point of Prayer
A) Men should pray and not faint.
1. The key word here is always.
a. The word does not imply a continual pray in respect of time.
b. The meaning is at all times, in the sense of under all circumstances.
2. There is a dire warning that is underlying this truth.
a. Men cease to pray.
b. There are those who cease praying and become weary or faint under any circumstances.
c. There are those who cease to pray because times get too difficult.
d. There are those who cease to pray because times are going good.
3. The widow was without power, influence, or money could only bring vindication through her persistence.
a. She was not discouraged.
b. She was not giving up.
B) Verses 6-8 reveal the importance of God in prayer.
1. The contrast we find in this parable exposes the purpose for which Jesus sought.
a. God is not the unjust judge.
b. Rather God is better and more compassionate.
c. Who better to provide for our needs and wants?
d. Since God is better than the unjust judge who delivered the widow from her adversary, then we should always pray.
2. The emphasis is on the outcome rather than the players involved.
a. God is not hounded into action.
b. Rather He desires to provide for our wants and needs.
c. James 4:2 - Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3. Prayer helps us realize our dependence upon God.
a. Life is tough even for Christians.
(i) We should not believe that persecution will elude us.
(ii) Matthew 5:12-14 teaches that we are blessed because of our persecution.
b. We cannot believe that if we live right then bad things will not come.
(i) No one is free from the pains of living in this world.
(ii) Death, sorrow, frustration, and distress come to all men.
c. But we should remain alert and prayerful.
(i) Mark 14:38 - Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
(ii) 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
(iii) 1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
d. Are you an exhausted Christian? Watch and pray.
e. Have you taken all the ridicule and criticism? Watch and pray.
f. IS your body racked with pain and agony? Watch and pray.
g. Is your heart crushed by the betrayal of your spouse? Watch and pray.
h. Have you lost your job and not face ever increasing bills? Watch and pray.
i. Whatever the challenge, whatever the pain, watch and pray.
4. Jesus' challenge to us concerns our faithfulness to this command.
a. When Jesus returns will He find us faithful?
b. Watch and pray.
Conclusion:
1. When Jesus returns will he find faith?
2. Will we succumb to the struggles that we face.
3. Certainly there are struggles like personal sin, wicked thoughts, and wavering integrity.
4. But how we rely upon God during these struggles is the answer to Jesus question.
5. Prayer is the medium by which we access the hope of our salvation.
6. Will God hear your prayer? Know ye not that he heareth not the prayer of the sinner?
Posted in: Perseverance, Prayer, Sermon Outlines