Luke 18:1-141And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:1‑14)
Jesus wanted to teach the disciples always to pray to God when in trouble; if their prayers were not soon answered, they might think it no use to pray more. But He wanted them to know that God would surely answer the prayers of His people, and He told them this story, or parable: There was a widow in a city, to whom some one did a wrong, and she went to the judge to ask him to avenge her (punish the person).
The duty of a judge is to hear all cases and decide justly, and enforce the right, especially for one like the widow with no one to protect her. But the judge of that city was not a just man: he did not care for the people or for God. At first he paid no attention to the woman’s request, but it seems she came again to ask. Then he decided to do for her, not because it was right, but because he liked to be at ease, and he thought she would keep coming to bother him.
Jesus told the disciples how different God is from the selfish, unjust judge: He will most surely do for His people in trouble, “His elect,” believers of Israel, will be in deep trouble from those who despise them, and God will avenge them.
People now who love God and believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus, do not ask God to avenge them of their enemies, because now is God’s time to bless, not to punish. He wants to show mercy to all who will trust in His Son.
Yet these words, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint,” are surely meant for all who believe God and for every time of trouble. And He has given many promises that He will hear and do: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15).
The Lord Jesus told another parable to teach that God answers only true and earnest prayer; He said two men came into the temple to pray: one man seemed to want others to hear him pray, he thought himself very good, and not a sinner like the other man. Jesus said, “he prayed with himself,” his prayer was not really to God.
The other man stood in a far part of the room, bowed his head low, and struck himself on his breast, which was a sign that he felt he deserved to be punished. All he could say was to ask God to have mercy on him: he knew he did what was wrong, and that God was holy.
Jesus said that man was “justified,” or forgiven by God; but not the man who thought himself always good. So we must be honest in prayer, God knows all we do, and wants to bless us if we confess our wrongs. “The poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his trouble.” Ps. 34:6.
What words did the second man say? (vs. 13)
ML 10/07/1945