Luk 18:7-8 | KingComments | STEP | In connection to what He said about the characteristics of the last days, the Lord, through a parable, places particular emphasis on the importance of persevering prayer. Prayer is the resource for the faithful in all times, but especially in the days of the Son of Man who are so similar to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. These are the days in which we live. That is why this parable is also full of teaching for us. It is a question of persevering in prayer and not to lose heart if the answer is delayed. These are difficult times when faith is put to the test. Continuous prayer is the only thing that gives us the strength to persevere. It shows confidence in God, even if we have the appearance against us. The Lord proposes a situation in which a judge plays a role who disregards the whole law. This judge does not love God nor his neighbor. To love God and neighbor is the summary of the law. And this man is a judge! At a certain moment, a widow comes to him and asks for legal protection. She has an opponent who wants to exploit her. However, the judge does not want to give her legal protection. He cannot earn anything from this case. It is completely uninteresting to him. Nevertheless, the widow persists. After all, there is a result. He says to himself that he will do something for the woman, despite the fact that he does not fear God and does not respect man. His consideration to give the widow legal protection is that he wants to get rid of her whining and prevent worse. He believes she will wear him out if he holds on to his refusal. That is why it is better to give her legal protection anyway. Then at least he is rid of her. He acts purely in his own interest. The unjust judge does not represent God here, just as the unjust steward in Luke 16 does not represent a disciple. The Lord tells these parables in order to encourage His disciples powerfully and encouragingly to such an action in which they can count on a benevolent God. Here the Lord Jesus wants to encourage them to always pray without losing heart, even though the answer seems to delay and evil increases. If an unjust judge comes to a verdict, even if it is in his own interest, will God then let the constant praying believer call without paying attention to it? Real faith is heard in crying to God day and night, even though He waits with giving an answer. This is not to delay the promise, but because of the efficacy of His mercy by which He leads sinners to repentance, that they too may be saved ( ). As far as the praying believer is concerned, he needs perseverance until the answer comes. If faith is found somewhere that is acceptable to Him Who seeks it, it will not be ashamed or disappointed. But will the Son of Man find faith when He comes? How many disciples will there eventually be who truly hold on to the real trust in God? How many will live in the same faith that has become visible in the widow? We live in the end time with few real disciples, in which the real disciples are put under severe pressure to give up faith. Do we have the faith that God will really give us legal protection even though we have the appearance against us? Who are the truly righteous is made clear by the Lord in the following parable.

‏ Luke 18:7-8

Parable of the Unrighteous Judge

In connection to what He said about the characteristics of the last days, the Lord, through a parable, places particular emphasis on the importance of persevering prayer. Prayer is the resource for the faithful in all times, but especially in the days of the Son of Man who are so similar to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. These are the days in which we live. That is why this parable is also full of teaching for us.

It is a question of persevering in prayer and not to lose heart if the answer is delayed. These are difficult times when faith is put to the test. Continuous prayer is the only thing that gives us the strength to persevere. It shows confidence in God, even if we have the appearance against us.

The Lord proposes a situation in which a judge plays a role who disregards the whole law. This judge does not love God nor his neighbor. To love God and neighbor is the summary of the law. And this man is a judge!

At a certain moment, a widow comes to him and asks for legal protection. She has an opponent who wants to exploit her. However, the judge does not want to give her legal protection. He cannot earn anything from this case. It is completely uninteresting to him. Nevertheless, the widow persists. After all, there is a result. He says to himself that he will do something for the woman, despite the fact that he does not fear God and does not respect man.

His consideration to give the widow legal protection is that he wants to get rid of her whining and prevent worse. He believes she will wear him out if he holds on to his refusal. That is why it is better to give her legal protection anyway. Then at least he is rid of her. He acts purely in his own interest.

The unjust judge does not represent God here, just as the unjust steward in Luke 16 does not represent a disciple. The Lord tells these parables in order to encourage His disciples powerfully and encouragingly to such an action in which they can count on a benevolent God.

Here the Lord Jesus wants to encourage them to always pray without losing heart, even though the answer seems to delay and evil increases. If an unjust judge comes to a verdict, even if it is in his own interest, will God then let the constant praying believer call without paying attention to it?

Real faith is heard in crying to God day and night, even though He waits with giving an answer. This is not to delay the promise, but because of the efficacy of His mercy by which He leads sinners to repentance, that they too may be saved (2Pet 3:9). As far as the praying believer is concerned, he needs perseverance until the answer comes. If faith is found somewhere that is acceptable to Him Who seeks it, it will not be ashamed or disappointed.

But will the Son of Man find faith when He comes? How many disciples will there eventually be who truly hold on to the real trust in God? How many will live in the same faith that has become visible in the widow? We live in the end time with few real disciples, in which the real disciples are put under severe pressure to give up faith. Do we have the faith that God will really give us legal protection even though we have the appearance against us? Who are the truly righteous is made clear by the Lord in the following parable.