MESSAGE NOTES/SCRIPTURE

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Bad Option (1): God is Unjust (18:2 “a judge who neither feared God nor cared what

people thought”)

Bad Option (2): Persistent Prayer Can Get Us Whatever We Want (18:5 “because this

widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually

come and attack me!”)

Better Option (3): Keep Praying and Don’t Give Up (18:1 “Then Jesus told his

disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”)

Option 4: No Matter What Happens, Trust God and Keep Faith (18:7-8 “And will not

God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will

he keep putting them off?  8  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

(Luke 1:46-55)

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

God is Good.

We Can Trust Him.