Daily Scripture: Luke 18:1 Then Yeshua told his talmidim a parable, in order to impress on them that they must always keep praying and not lose heart. 2 “In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected other people. 3 There was also in that town a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me a judgment against the man who is trying to ruin me.’ 4 For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God, and I don’t respect other people; 5 but because this widow is such a nudnik, I will see to it that she gets justice — otherwise, she’ll keep coming and pestering me till she wears me out!’”
6 Then the Lord commented, “Notice what this corrupt judge says. 7 Now won’t God grant justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Is he delaying long over them? 8 I tell you that he will judge in their favor, and quickly! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find this trust on the earth at all?”
Reflection Questions:Jesus’ parables usually taught through similarity: “God is like...” But in this story, he taught by contrast, saying, in effect, “God is NOT like this unjust judge.” The story said that, if even a bad judge can be persuaded, then surely your good, generous God wants to listen to your prayers. The real question, Jesus said, is not about God, but us: “When the Human One comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?”
- Luke said Jesus wanted his followers to learn about “their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged.” Have you ever had a time when you persisted in prayer? If so, what effect(s) did you find that the experience had on you? What are the factors that make you most likely to give up praying? What experiences or beliefs lead you to keep on praying?
- 2 Peter 3:8-9 said, “The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise,” but that for God a thousand years are as one day. In Luke, Jesus said God will “quickly” give God’s children justice, and then linked that to his future return. How hard is it for you to hold onto your faith and trust given the pace of what Madeleine l’Engle called God’s “vast, patiently waiting love”?
Lord Jesus, I’m an impatient person, partly because I live in a stream of time that I never seem to have enough of. Grow your patience in me—a patience rooted in your eternity, where neither you nor I will ever run out of time. Amen.Insights from Mike Wilhoit
Mike Wilhoit serves at The Church of the Resurrection as Local Missions Director.
I understand the part about being persistent in prayer and that our good God is more likely to grant aide than a cynical judge begrudging a poor widow. What intrigues me about this passage is the last sentence – “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
My son excitedly told me that he was going to play in his next baseball game. His playing time had been sparse. I rearranged my schedule and texted him on the morning of the game – “Hey buddy, can’t wait to see you play today. I love you.” Games at his level are always double-headers, two games back to back. If he was to play, it would be in the second game. As I was across town, I drove as fast as allowable and pulled up to the field just as the game began. I quickly put on a jacket, walked over to the stands and watched. I watched and watched and watched, hoping my son would get to go in the game. He never did. But here’s why I took him out for ice cream afterwards. From the bench, he cheered on every batter, picked up bats after every at-bat, warmed up the left-fielder in between innings and yelled encouragement to teammates who made mistakes for fourteen long innings, without ever getting to play. I didn’t take Ben out for ice cream to console him. I took him out for ice cream and told him that I was proud of him because he was faithful.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
I understand the part about being persistent in prayer and that our good God is more likely to grant aide than a cynical judge begrudging a poor widow. What intrigues me about this passage is the last sentence – “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
My son excitedly told me that he was going to play in his next baseball game. His playing time had been sparse. I rearranged my schedule and texted him on the morning of the game – “Hey buddy, can’t wait to see you play today. I love you.” Games at his level are always double-headers, two games back to back. If he was to play, it would be in the second game. As I was across town, I drove as fast as allowable and pulled up to the field just as the game began. I quickly put on a jacket, walked over to the stands and watched. I watched and watched and watched, hoping my son would get to go in the game. He never did. But here’s why I took him out for ice cream afterwards. From the bench, he cheered on every batter, picked up bats after every at-bat, warmed up the left-fielder in between innings and yelled encouragement to teammates who made mistakes for fourteen long innings, without ever getting to play. I didn’t take Ben out for ice cream to console him. I took him out for ice cream and told him that I was proud of him because he was faithful.
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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