April 26, 2026 – You Promised: To Hear Our Cry for Help – Luke 18:1-8
Luke 18:1-8 features the Parable of the Persistent Widow, where Jesus teaches the necessity of praying consistently without losing heart. It contrasts a corrupt, indifferent judge—who eventually grants a widow justice just to stop her pestering—with a righteous God, who is eager to answer the persistent prayers of His people.
Key Aspects of the Parable:
- Core Message: The purpose is to teach believers to pray continuously and never give up, even when answers seem delayed.
- The Characters: The widow represents the vulnerable needing justice, while the unjust judge represents the opposite of God’s character.
- God vs. The Judge: Unlike the selfish judge, God is just and loves His people. If a corrupt judge answers, how much more will God act on behalf of His chosen ones?
- Persistent Faith: Jesus equates persistent prayer with true faith and questions whether he will find this persistent faith on earth upon his return.
Luke 18:1-8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge
18 Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ”[b] 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download