God has all authority. He is the Creator. He is in charge. We are completely at His mercy.
Sometimes Jesus’ parables are enigmatic and confusing. Sometimes the disciples had to follow-up and ask for clarification. Sometimes the Gospel writers provide no help and leave us hanging, wondering what on earth Jesus was getting at.
Not so with this parable. We do not know if Jesus offered a preface when He first told it to the disciples, but Luke apparently thought his readers would benefit from a preface: “And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (18:1). This opening explanation alone makes the parable worthy of attention this Sunday, for the people of God today have plenty of reasons to lose heart.
The idea of “losing heart” is familiar. Think of the many different ways we have for describing it. We are tempted to “give up,” “give in,” “tap out,” “fold ‘em,” “throw in the towel,” “call it a day,” “cash out,” “cut your losses,” “say uncle,” and “wave the white flag.” We say these things because our jobs are exhausting, our relationships are on the rocks, and our treatments just are not working. So many advances in medicine and technology in our day have given us the illusion that every problem should have a quick fix, every struggle should be find easy resolution. When that does not happen and the struggles persist, it becomes easy to lose heart.
But Jesus was not talking about jobs, relationships, or treatment. He was talking about faith. He makes this clear at the end of the parable. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Which reminds us that the life of faith in Christ is not easy. Trusting one whose faithfulness led Him to rejection and crucifixion seems counterintuitive. This is especially true when you hear Jesus say the kinds of things He had just been saying to the disciples:
- “The Kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed” (17:20).
- “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it” (17:22).
- “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (17:33).
Jesus knew the hearts of His disciples. He knew the questions they already had. And He knew the ways in which they would struggle to believe His upside-down way of reigning. So, He told them a parable.
He knew the ways in which they would struggle to believe His upside-down way of reigning. So, He told them a parable.
All parables are comparisons, things set side by side to provide insight into something important (παραβολὴν, βάλλω – throw, cast + παρά – alongside), but the two things are not necessarily equal. In this case, Jesus sets two things side by side: A judge who neither feared God nor respected man, and God the Father. Indirectly, He sets two other things side by side: The persistent (and bothersome) widow, and the faithful disciple who struggles to believe.
Consider first the judge and God. What makes these two apt for comparison? They are both in the position to provide justice. In the parable, the judge has all authority. It is his call, and his alone, whether or not the widow gets justice. She is completely at his mercy. She knows this, which is why she keeps coming back even when he rebuffs her. The same is true in the world. God has all authority. He is the Creator. He is in charge. We are completely at His mercy.
But that is where the similarities end. The judge in the story is fickle and selfish. He finally gives justice for his own benefit, to make his life easier. God, on the other hand, gives justice out of love for His creation. He has compassion on those He has made. Which is why He refused to throw in the towel when Adam and Eve lost faith, when Abraham chickened out, when Moses gave up, and when Jeremiah and Jonah and the rest of the prophets were ready to wave the white flag. He kept coming back to them with patience and promises that, one day, justice would be served for all eternity.
The same was true for Jesus. Justice eluded Him, despite the fact that He had authority over those judging Him. His faithful obedience resulted in shame and suffering. He did not lose heart, even when everyone else cashed in and tapped out. Refusing to serve Himself, He endured all the way to the cross and the grave.
His justice would come three days later. On Easter, Jesus would be exalted by His Father and vindicated as the faithful Son. Ascending back to the right hand of the Father, He promised that justice for all, including His people, would come on that last and great day of judgment. Until then, His people pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” And we do not give up.
There are many reasons your congregation could offer for losing heart and cutting their losses. Your job, as a preacher of the Word, is to encourage them to trust, to stay firm, to hold on. Their gracious Judge is coming. And until He comes, He willingly offers to hear our pleas for mercy. He watches over us, and He does not slumber or sleep. In His perfect time, He will answer.
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on Luke 18:1-8.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Luke 18:1-8.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
