Part 13, Parable series Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 24:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Luis Cruz, GCF Durham This parable is also on waiting. It’s just the norm of life. Last week we studied the Parable of then Shrewd Manager. And that parable is about money. Today, it is a parable that teaches us to Remain Faithful until He comes again. We wait for Him. We always wait. But when we wait for the Lord’s promise to return, we wait patiently, and we faithful to Him, because we believe that Jesus will come again. His disciples were being persecuted and would even be more, after Jesus departs from His earthly ministry. And Jesus gave this parable to encourage them to remain faithful until He comes to bring His justice.
I. The Parable: A. The unjust judge. Jesus opens up the parable by introducing the first character - the unjust judge. “2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.”… 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.” Luke 18:2, 5-6 2 Chronicles 19: 7, “7 Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” • The unjust judge has no fear of God. • He has no real concern for people’s right. • He makes judgment to benefit himself. B. The desperate widow. “3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.” Luke 18:3 • Somebody oppressed her. • She was alone and no one to help her. • She persistently sought justice. • She waited for the judge to give her justice. II. The Lessons from the Parable: A. God hears the desperate cry of His people. “6 And the Lord said… 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?” Luke 18:6-7 “22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. 23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” Exodus 22:22-23. B. God will punish the unjust. “7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?... “However, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth?”” Luke 18:7-8 “11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.” Revelation 19:11-16. • An eschatological prayer. • Eschatology is the study of the Last Days. • Jesus will come and judge the world of its sin. III. The challenge: A. To wait for His return. “However, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 B. To remain faithful. “9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,… 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:9-13 IV. The encouragement: “when the Son of Man comes” Luke 18:8a 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.” • God rewards the true believers with His eternal presence. • Realization of His justification to us.