Luke 18:1-8 comments: the unjust judge

18:1 ¶  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2  Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3  And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4  And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5  Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6  And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

In this passage we find instruction to be persistent in prayer. Paul will later tell Christians;

Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

And…

1Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

This isn’t the first message on this subject that Jesus has given. Read Luke 11:1-13. By using this wicked judge as God in type it is as if Jesus is saying, “If this mean-spirited, godless judge will respond to the persistent pleas of a widow why would you not expect that a holy, gracious, and loving God will respond to persistent, heartfelt prayer?”

God’s ways are sure but they can take a long time, as far as we are concerned. Yet, when His judgment comes, it will come quickly.

Revelation 6:9 ¶  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Jesus asks a rhetorical question that, of course, as with all questions He knows the answer to but it calls us to consider how many will be trusting Him and looking to God for justice when He returns. With the church removed from the world there may be no one giving thanks or seeking His justice left on the earth.