032 - Parable of the unjust judge - Who is this judge?

Parable of the unjust judge

 

·         "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" (Luke 18.1).

 

Jesus is not saying that men should always pray without faint because the Eternal One is reluctant to do good to His chosen and, thus, needs encouragement and instruction to help those who believe in Him.

On the contrary: it is precisely because He is interested in giving to those who believe what is best, that they must never cease to pray. 

Our mistake is to pray trying to persuade Jesus to correct the error that individuals have committed against us. When we make thus, in fact, behold we are doing:

 

·         "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge." (James 4:11).

 

In other words, we are accusing Jesus of weak, incompetent, insensitive or unfair. After all, why was He allow evil against us? And why until now did He nothing in our favor?

We have to accept that everything that happens to us is the will of the Eternal One (1Thess 5.16-18) and that our mission is to suffer the sound doctrine until the end (Phil 1.29; Col 1.24; 2Tim 4.3.4; 1Peter 2.18-25, 3.13-18, 4.12-19), until the whole truth and justice may be fulfilled in us and through us. It is precisely at this point that the sincere are differentiated from false ones. 

This is why Jesus said:

 

·        "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matthew 24.13).

 

Comes the question: to persevere in what?

 

·        "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (James 2:13).

 

Persevere in exercising mercy, i.e., to deliver the life in order that individuals grow in character and reach the level of those who trust in Jesus.

Many people think that if prayer is not able to change the mind of the Eternal One, then it is useless. 

Absolutely! If the Eternal One would change, He would be corruptible (Numbers 23.19; Hebrews 13.8), which would result in our destruction (Malachi 3.6).

We must always keep in mind our insignificance in doing good (Rom 3.12), since the maximum that we can do is to comply with our obligation (Luke 17.10), and this very badly done (as filthy rags - Isaiah 64.6).

Furthermore, if our cause is just, why do we stop in the middle of the way? A good individual does not rest with the injustice (1Cor 13.6), but always seek in the Eternal One means to bring to His presence His banished (see 2Samuel 14.13).

We must fight, not by material rewards, but by what the Eternal One designated us in favor of seeing Him working minds and hearts.

How do you think that we shall overcome the world (1 John 5.4)? Following the example of Jesus (John 16.33), namely, enduring the afflictions (2Tim 2.3) until the end (Matthew 24.13) (instead of running from them or want to move them from us) until all that Jesus wants to operate in us and through us to pass.

We must never give in to the importunity of evil, as the Eternal One didn’t.

It is clear: never the Eternal One will answer the insistent supplication from a bad heart:

 

·        "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" (Psalms 66.18).

·        "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." (John 9.31).

·        "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4.6).

 

The problem where many prayers are not answered is why many seek, in the miracles of Jesus, get rid of the obligation to become better individuals and seek such change to those with whom they have contact. They want to isolate in their selfishness.

However, without the difficulties, as the faith in the impossible and invisible (to wit, believing in Him who is able to justify the wicked - Rm 4.5) can be developed?

Therefore, isn’t the reluctance of the Eternal One in doing good that needs to be overcome, but ours. The well that Jesus wants to do is to get us closer to those that He placed in our lives.

See examples of perseverance in prayer:

 

•              In the times of the Testament of the Law, it was customary to pray three times a day (Psalms 55.17; Daniel 6.10).

•              Jesus prayed three times (Matthew 26.44) because He wanted all the principalities and powers to see that there was no possibility of salvation without drinking the cup of the Eternal One which, in the case of Jesus, it was the cross of Calvary.

•              Paul prayed three times (2Cor 14), because he wanted to understand how a God so good was allowing the Ha-Satan’s herald buffet him (2Cor 12.9,10).

 

·        "And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon." (Lk 19.35).

·        "And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary." (Lk 18.3).

 

However, notice that the woman did not want revenge against the opponent, but justice. The woman wanted to receive the righteousness of the Eternal One in order that the opponent sees it and get embarrassed.

It was exactly how Ha-Satan, the greatest of the opponents, was defeated by Jesus: He, even in the face of the greatest suffering, shame, contempt and oppression that a human being is capable of suffering, yet He would not yield:

 

·        "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col 2.14,15). 

 

Many times we think the problem is the opponent. However, the big problem is our persistence in saying that our cause is just. 

First of all, we have to think: is this true? If our cause is just, why we stop fight in the middle of the path? If it is not, then why do we insist in forcing others to do what we want? 

Why do you think that the widow was warring with the judge? Because she couldn’t enter into an agreement with the opponent. And the reason for this is simple: it is only possible to be true agreement when both are involved with the pure heart fighting for truth and justice (see Matt 18.18-20). Otherwise, the maximum that can be is political or economic agreement in order to conquest advantages.

Considering that the agreement was not possible, then at least one of them was in iniquity. As Jesus was clear in stating that it was the judge who was not wanting to do justice (Luke 18.6), then the cause of the widow was just.

 

·        "And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man" (Luke 18.4).

·        "Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me." (Luke 18.5).

 

Let this be clear: the parable does not point to a magic formula to oblige the Eternal One to do what we want Him to do. Remember that the judge only answered the question of the widow because it was just.

You may be wondering: but what led him to help her? After all, as he didn't fear any man nor the Eternal One (which shows that he had a lot of influence and power), he could very well kill this widow completely helpless and end up with the importunity?

What the judge feared was the importunity that justice was to bring. He and many  were already having the desire to surrender their lives to Jesus. The more the widow persevered in pursuit the justice, the more she got soaked this and this was a nuisance in the consciousness of the judge, since he wanted to live as a god. 

The search of woman for goodness, justice and love finally would worry eternally the judge with remorse (consider that this woman has always expressed this all for the judge).

You may wonder: how do I know this?

First: a source of fresh water cannot gush bitter water (Jas 3.10-12). As the judge wanted to live selfishly for your pleasure, the love was considered a importunity.

Second, because of what says the scripture:

 

·        "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee." (Pv 25.21,22).

·        "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." (Romans 12.20).

 

·        "And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.” (Luke 18.6)

·        “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?" (Luke 18.7).

 

Note that, when our cause is just, even the most unfair and insensitive judges cannot resist (Pv 16.7).  Not even the most sleepy friend can stay in peace in bed without giving what the righteous need to have their needs fulfilled (Luke 11.5-8).

In the face of truth and justice no one can remain still without doing anything:

 

·        "That at the name of Jesus to bend around the knee that are in heaven and on earth and under the earth," (Phil 2:10).

 

God is the One who cause and the one that comes to be.

 

·        "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 19.8). 

 

When Jesus comes, will He find the grace and truth that comes with faith, or just a blank religiosity, consisting only of rules and more rules (Isaiah 28.10,13), which is a weight in the life of Jesus (Matt 17.17)?

Unless we know who Eternal One is and, on this basis, we become individuals who never discouraged praying, we will never have the faith that pleases Jesus.

W HAT CAN WE LEARNE FROM ALL THIS?

 

When the Holy Scripture says that the Eternal One does justice to His chosen, it is not speaking merely of elected, as if they had been chosen for their goodness and faith, but because they belong to Him.

Comes the question: why Jesus used the figure of the widow? In the first instance, the forsaken widow is Israel, which seeing that it was rejected by the Eternal One (Is 50.1), it was for about 400 years without receiving any prophecy of Him. And as Israel did not know recognize the time of visitation of the Eternal One (Luke 19.44), it continue still living as a widow.

The cause of Israel was just: wanted the Messiah to come and release Israel and reign over the world. However, Israel thought that the Eternal One was lingering to fulfill this promise.

Jesus finally came to them, but they did not receive Him.

And when Jesus comes again, shall He find faith on the earth of Israel? Very little!

The Eternal One expresses His righteousness as well faster than we imagine. However, who is suited to recognize this?

Although the faithful expect that Jesus manifested His righteousness with much zeal, when finally the day comes, almost nobody is properly prepared. This comes to show us that, as important as pray to Jesus, is preparing for Jesus' answer to this prayer.

 It is good to remember that:

 

·        "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation." (Psalm 68.5).

 

Whereas we are (or at least have to be) the holy place of the Eternal One, therefore what the Eternal One wish to operate through us has to do with those who are helpless in this world, either:

 

•              By not having those who provide for their needs (orphans);

•              By not having anyone give them what the Eternal One gave them (widows).

 

However, as soon as Jacob wrestled with the Eternal One to be blessed (Gen 32.30), we often have to fight against Him so that His blessing may find place in our life.

Understand: since every human being is a sinner, he of course never seeks the Eternal One (Rom 3.11). This is because our carnal nature is not able to receive nor practice what pleases Him (Rom 8.5-8; Acts 16.20,21). This makes Jesus and His desire to be a torment for us: it is an obstacle so that we don’t conquer what best suit us.

To be more accurate: for who is addicted to sin (evil, injustice, etc.), every expression of love, goodness and justice is seen as discrimination (prejudice), cruelty and wickedness.

Lastly, the unjust judge of this parable symbolizes the way that all sinners without Christ (including religious) see Jesus. The fact that Jesus was not subject to any false God (Isaiah 44.8) and does not respect the desire of the human being (everything He does is for His name's sake – Ez 20.9,14,22,44; 36.21), then all they see Jesus as an unjust judge.

Hence the reason for sinning. When something happens, many seek the Eternal One for help. As in most cases, the prayers are not as they should be (Romans 8:26; Jas 4.1-3) (which are not fruit of trust in everything that Jesus really is), the Eternal One does not the answer.

Result: instead of seeking the covenant of the Eternal One, they prefer to act independently of Him and His Word and will. In other words, they sin.

However, for those who love Jesus and His character, and want this in their life (1 John 3.2.3), the prayer is very enjoyable especially considering that Jesus is a righteous judge and full of love. 

See the contrast between the situation of the widow in the parable and of the Church in real life:

 

The widow in the parable:	The Church in real life:
The widow was a stranger to the unjust judge.	The Church is the loved Bride, chosen and saved by the Creator One.
The widow asked all alone.	The Church asks in communion (Matt 18.18-20).
The widow went to the judge who keep himself far away. The presence of the widow was considered an importunity.	The Church is going to the Father, who wants us to approach the most Him (Heb 4.16; 1 Peter 3.8-12). The presence of the Bride is never considered an importunity, so that she can approach herself of Him without shame and fear all the time.
The widow was forced to go to a judge is unjust and evil.	The Church is invited to go to a righteous and kind Father.
The widow went to a judge who had no interest in solving her problem.	The Church is going to the Eternal One who wants to be the solution to everything and give us what we really need.
The widow attends alone before the judge.	The Church is going to the presence of the Eternal One accompanied by Jesus, the true lawyer.
The widow had no reason to believe that the unjust judge wanted to help him.	The Church relies on the security of the promises recorded in the Holy Scripture.
The widow could only appear before the judge with  scheduled hearing.	The Church can and must find Jesus anywhere and at any time.

 

Lastly, instead of looking at Jesus as unjust judge and get out there sinning, we will seek to believe in who Jesus really is (and not in who want it to be), and then pray according to what He wants to do in our lives and in the lives of those he has placed in us.

That everyone can see that the Eternal One comes to establish His righteousness as well faster than they can imagine (1Thess 5.2; 2Pet 3:10) and, thus, to prepare themselves properly for His coming.

Only those who seek in Christ their desires is that they think that Jesus is taking too long.

 

 

 

What do you think about this parable? *****Is this Parable neglected in the Church today? *****Why did Jesus teach in Parables? *****Does healing apply to this parable? ****What adversaries do we have today that we need to take care of...? ****Be sweet when discussing this parable and remember that John who was the son of thunder became the Apostle of Love---there is hope for us all...