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William H. Banegas
Scripture: Luke 18
Theme: Seek the Lord in undeterred, humble faith.
Introduction: Today, we’re going to survey 2 parables and 4 subsequent events that all provide for us instruction about the nature of faith.
From our passage today, I hope that we will all be challenged to Seek the Lord in faith.
Background context: Jesus has just concluded Luke 17 with teaching concerning the coming of the Kingdom.
Hence, Jesus was talking about His Second Coming just prior to our passage.
Instructive Illustrations
Pray to our just God in persevering faith (The Parable of the Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8)
Parable Details
Let’s consider some observations about this judge.
How does Jesus describe this judge?
The emphasis here is on the fact that he does not fear God.
This attitude should immediately prompt alert us.
If he does not fear God, who does he fear?
If he does not respect man, who does he respect?
Notice, this phrase is repeated twice.
First, Jesus uses the phrase.
Then, the unjust judge uses the phrase.
Initially, he was unwilling to give justice!
(18:4)
We could say that this unjust judge is only concerned about himself.
Neither fears God nor respects man.
Makes a just judgment on account of someone pestering him.
If he’s only concerned about himself, what attitude motivates his decisions that we would characterize him as unjust?
Let’s consider some observations about this widow.
First, while it’s hard to be a widow anytime, it was harder during this period.
This is why the Scripture gives attention to caring for widows.
Thus, she’s already in a disadvantaged position.
Jesus uses an interesting term translated as opponent.
On the surface, it could give the impression that this is just someone against the widow.
It actually implies legal proceedings.
The term refers to one who has brought up a charge in a court against another.
In other words, the widow is likely the one being sued!
We’re thus prompted to side with this widow!
She’s disadvantaged.
She’s being sued.
How does Jesus characterize her persistence?
“She kept coming”
She kept demanding justice.
“She will wear me out”
There are 2 possible ways to understand this phrase.
She’s going to get violent with the judge.
She’s just going to annoy him.
What’s another way that we could describe the widow’s attitude?
She will settle for nothing less than justice.
She is determined.
Parable Application
Is it just me, or does it seem odd that Jesus references when the Son of Man comes, when He is already here?
Hence, Jesus must be pointing to his Second Coming.
Thus, what could potentially prompt us to ‘lose heart’ is waiting for Jesus’ coming again.
You see, the parable is not about whether or not God will act justly.
We’ve seen an unjust judge who exercised justice for his own personal concerns.
This selfish example highlights all the more God’s shining example of righteousness.
Instead, this parable concerns persevering faith.
Luke began by telling us the point of this parable.
What did Luke identify as the point of this parable?
What does it mean to ‘not lose heart’?
Other translations include: ‘not give up’, ‘grow tired’, or faint
What are some things in this life that could prompt us to ‘lose heart’?
Jesus’ inquiry is not meant to be a rebuke.
Rather, Jesus’ inquiry becomes an invitation.
This invitation is based on the superlative example of God’s righteousness.
While this is the worst human example, we are reminded of three things.
Humans know what justice looks like.
Humans can perform acts of justice.
Humans will disappoint.
We can be confident that God will exercise righteousness always.
The widow, then, patterns for us the continual seeking that we are invited to undertake.
Hence, we are invited to seek the Lord in prayer by faith.
When we pray, we are not praying to someone who is selfishly stubborn to hear our petitions.
Our prayers, then are motivated by the confidence of God’s righteousness.
Transition: Jesus carries forward the theme of faith into His next parable concerning the Pharisee and the Publican/Tax-Collector.
Pray to our justifying God in humble faith (The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican Luke 18:9-14)
Parable Details
Who does the Pharisee direct his prayer to?
What is the content of his prayer?
Count with me the items that the Pharisee references.
First, he’s thankful that he’s not like others.
Second, he’s not like a swindler - or someone who cheats others.
Third, he’s not like a general sinner.
Fourth, he’s not like adulterers.
Fifth, he’s not like the tax collector.
Sixth, he fasts more than is required by the Law (Law required once during Day of Atonement).
Seventh, he tithes on all his income.
As you may recall, the number 7 factors significantly in the Scriptures and generally indicates something that is complete or perfect.
In other words, the Pharisee believes that he’s perfect.
Was the Pharisee perfect?
What’s interesting is what the Pharisee leaves out concerning sins that he has not committed.
What sins has the Pharisee left out of this list?
Let’s look now at the Publican.
What do you notice about his posture?
His eyes are directed to the ground.
What does this kind of posture normally indicate?
Shame
What do you notice about his behavior?
He’s striking his chest.
The implication of the passage is that, throughout his prayer, he is consistently striking his chest.
Such an action is meant to convey just how entirely convicted this man was of his sin.
What do you notice concerning his prayer?
He asks for Mercy.
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