2. The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8

3. Introduction
Jesus sometimes used parables to teach important lessons to His disciples
An important part of being a disciple is the ability to communicate with God by prayer
At least 3 parables are told to teach about prayer
“The Friend at Midnight” (Lk 11:5-13)
“The Persistent Widow” (Lk 18:1-8)
“The Pharisee and the Publican” (Lk 18:9-14)

4. The setting Luke 17:20-37 Jesus explains
That the kingdom will not be physical, but spiritual
That the disciples will suffer and wish for Jesus’ return
That many false Christ’s will appear
That they will have to be on guard so they are not led astray

5. The setting
Luke 18:1
Jesus then wanted them to understand the need for PERSISTENCE in our prayers
Persistence means not giving up
The same thing He taught in “The Friend at Midnight”
Jesus knows it is easy to become discouraged
Especially considering the upcoming persecution

6. The Parable Luke 18:2 The character of the judge
Did not fear God nor regard man
So he is NOT a fair or righteous judge
Sometimes called “The Parable of the Unjust Judge”

7. The Parable Luke 18:3 Luke 18:4a The distress of the widow
She has some adversary who has wronged her
She is seeking “justice”
Luke 18:4a
The difficulty she faced
The judge doesn’t care about justice
Repeated requests get nowhere at first

8. The Parable Luke 18:4b-5 The judge finally relents
Not out of a need for justice
Not from a sense of right and wrong
Simply because he is tired of hearing the widow

9. The parable applied
Jesus explains the basic point of the parable by applying the parable
Luke 18:6-8
Hear what the unjust judge says
He did not fear God
He did not regard man
But he was moved to action by the widow’s persistence
Shall not God avenge His own elect?
If an UNJUST judge will act because of persistence
How much more will a JUST God act

10. Contrast the petitioners’ relationship to their judges
The Widow
A stranger
Only one
At a distance
An unjust judge
On her own
Pleads her own case
No promise of an answer
Limited access
Asking provoked the judge
Christians
His elect – 1 Pet 2:9-10
We are many
Boldly enter – He 4:15-16
A righteous Father
God is for us – Ro 8:31-32
An advocate – Ro 8:34
We have promises – Lk 18:8
Unlimited access
Asking is what God wants – Mt 7:7-11

11. God will avenge His elect
Lk 18:7b
He may wait a long time, but He will avenge
Rev 6:9-10
He is waiting for more to repent – 2 Pet 3:9
2 Th 1:7-9
But vengeance is coming
1 Th 5:1-3
When it comes, there will be no escape

12. But will there be faith on the earth?
The Lord will come
He will avenge His elect
But during the wait some will give up
Lack of praying for His return indicates a lack of faith in His promise
We don’t believe He will return
We don’t believe in heaven
We prefer this world
Jesus told this parable so that
We might always pray
We would not lose heart

13. Conclusion Are you praying? God hears those prayers
Are you praying persistently?
Are you praying for the Lord’s return?
God hears those prayers
Don’t give up
Don’t lose heart
He will return as He promised
We serve and petition a faithful and righteous God, not an unjust judge