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- [00:01]
Jesus
Ask and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks, it will be opened. Matthew 7:7 8 Heavenly Father, we come to you with hearts open and expectant. Teach us to seek your presence persistently, to knock on the door of your wisdom, and to ask for your guidance. With faith and trust. May we experience the joy and fulfillment of finding you when we seek, and the peace that comes with having doors opened. In your perfect timing, remind us that in your loving kindness you hear and answer our prayers in ways that are best for us. When we waver in our faith and grow discouraged, remind us that your timing is perfect and your ways are higher than our ways. We declare that all the doors previously closed to us are open in you and that all your promises are yes and Amen. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here to be enthralled by the captivating power of Christ's parables. If this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love it if you left a review and shared it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world because when Jesus story is told, lives are transformed. Jesus rounded the path leading up to the synagogue. His disciples were close behind him, asking questions about God's will, prayer, and providence. The Lord hears your prayers, jesus explained.
- [02:16]
Narrator
He hears your requests and listens to your cries.
- [02:21]
Judge
When do we give up and accept that God doesn't want to answer our prayers? Peter asked, how long must we pray for things?
- [02:30]
Jesus
Jesus paused and had them sit under the shade of the synagogue walls. Many people saw him about to teach and gathered to hear him. Soon, an entire crowd of disciples, onlookers, Pharisees, and rabbis had gathered to hear him. He looked at Peter and the others.
- [02:49]
Narrator
And said, you must never give up on prayer. Your persistence and willingness to endure testifies to your faith, whose will was chipped away by the persistent pleas of a widow.
- [03:03]
Zach
Have you ever struggled with the concept of prayer? Have you wondered if prayer actually moves the hand of God or if it's just a religious practice to get your hearts right? A lot of people misunderstand prayer because they misunderstand the heart of God. In order to truly gain a proper understanding of prayer, we have to first understand the one we are praying to. That's why Jesus provides us with the parable of the persistent widow. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach with Pray.com we're spending this month exploring dramatized parables rich with drama and spiritual insights. Let's dive into an often overlooked and misunderstood parable. The Persistent Widow. This is a story about a wicked judge who refuses to hear the pleas of this one widow. This story shows us the power of annoyance and pestering, but also reveals a contrast to God's character. Let's dive in.
- [03:56]
Narrator
The poor man pleaded before the town judge. His voice trembled as he bowed before him. The judge's face was impassive. He looked down at the man with his hands folded over his mouth.
- [04:08]
Judge
If this land is so precious to you, then you would have gone to greater lengths to protect it. No guards, no fence surrounding the perimeter. Nothing.
- [04:20]
Narrator
The judge scoffed with a dismissive tone.
- [04:23]
Judge
That was your mistake. You relied on good faith. People take what they can. You must clearly mark what's yours and defend it. Your weakness and inability to do so is none of my concern. Next.
- [04:40]
Narrator
The judge waved his hand and gestured for the court guards to escort the man out. He was unfazed by the tears or cries for help. This judge didn't fear God or care about the thoughts and feelings of people. He was calculated and cold, numb to the emotions or circumstances surrounding someone's case. His judgments were final, and changing his mind on anything was harder than washing the stripes off a tiger. He looked down at the parchment describing this next case. A woman walked in and bowed her head to the judge. A man stood behind her, clearly vexed and angry. The judge leaned over and asked leora.
- [05:22]
Judge
Wife of the recently deceased Amos, I understand you have a complaint against this man.
- [05:29]
Narrator
The woman cleared her throat and nodded.
- [05:33]
Leora
Yes, your honor. As you know from my formal complaint, I am a widow. Before passing, my husband sold his business to this man. A part of their agreement was that I would be paid 5 per cent of the income each month. This. This was his way of ensuring I could live when he died. But this man has yet to honor that agreement. I have witnesses that can testify to their handshake.
- [05:58]
Judge
Do you have it in writing?
- [06:00]
Leora
No, your honor, I don't. But I have witnesses.
- [06:04]
Judge
You have nothing. If you do not have it in writing, you have nothing. If you do not confirm this agreement with the court first, you have nothing. If there isn't an official seal on the exchange. Next please.
- [06:21]
Leora
I am a widow. Moses clearly said that I should be taken care of. Please hear my case. I can get you witnesses. I can.
- [06:30]
Judge
You people. And quoting Moses, if I had a denari for every time someone came in here with a Quote from Moses. I would be rich enough to leave this town and never hear whining again. Next.
- [06:46]
Narrator
The judge shouted, louder this time, with spite in his voice. He waved the woman away, and the guards escorted her and the accused man out of the building. The day dragged on, and the judge grew weary of hearing complaints and woes. He didn't become a judge because he cared about people. No, he cared about judgment. He didn't fear God, nor care about those in need. He cared about silencing the complaints of whiny citizens, slamming the gavel and going home. The day's tasks were completed, and the judge prepared to leave. He put on his outer garment, gathered some scrolls, and went out the door. Waiting for him in the cold was the widow from earlier that day.
- [07:30]
Leora
Your Honor, I need you to grant me justice or I will be out on the streets. Please hear me.
- [07:38]
Judge
I heard enough. Your complaint was heard and swiftly rejected. Now leave me alone.
- [07:45]
Narrator
The judge stormed off, leaving Leora alone on the frostbitten streets.
- [07:52]
Judge
The moment I start to take pity on people is the moment my reputation is ruined.
- [07:57]
Narrator
He cursed under his breath. He marched back home, shut the door, and read silently beside a dimly lit candle. Early the following day, the judge sat at his desk and scanned the list of today's complaints.
- [08:13]
Judge
A disagreement between two merchants. A son suing his father for refusing him an inheritance. A falsified deed to acquire an investment. And.
- [08:23]
Narrator
The judge peered closely at the parchment.
- [08:26]
Judge
A widow seeking justice for a percentage of her husband's business.
- [08:33]
Narrator
The judge promptly crumpled up the parchment and tossed it behind him. He gestured for the guards to bring in his first case of the day. As the day dragged on, one by one, he heard the complaints of each person. He settled the dispute between the merchants, gave the father justice over his son, and sent the man who falsified his deed to prison. Then it was time for the widow. She entered the courtroom with the accused man and two others.
- [08:59]
Leora
Your Honor, I have brought the witnesses. My neighbor and the man who used to work for my husband. They can testify to my husband's agreement.
- [09:09]
Narrator
Her voice was trembling and desperate. Her livelihood and safety depended on the judge's decision. However, her persistence didn't soften the judge. It vexed him. The judge clenched his fist and shook his head.
- [09:24]
Judge
I gave my decision, woman. Leave me alone.
- [09:28]
Narrator
He gestured for the guards to escort her out.
- [09:31]
Leora
Do you not fear God?
- [09:34]
Narrator
The judge leaned back in his seat and laughed.
- [09:39]
Judge
As a matter of fact, I do not. Bye. Bye.
- [09:44]
Narrator
The door slammed behind her, and the judge rolled his neck back.
- [09:49]
Judge
Unbelievable.
- [09:53]
Narrator
Later that evening, the judge packed his things and departed from the courtroom. Back home, the air was frigid and his breath rose like a ghost in the night. He turned the corner to see the widow sitting on the steps of his home, wrapped in a wool blanket. She was shivering, tears frozen to her face. Before she could speak, the judge raised his hand and said, I will not hear it.
- [10:17]
Judge
Get out of my way.
- [10:19]
Narrator
He shoved her aside and opened the door to his home. He slammed it behind him, leaving the woman in the cold. Please, she stammered, her jaw chattering from the cold. Her muffled pleas could be heard through the door.
- [10:36]
Leora
Grant me justice.
- [10:39]
Narrator
The judge ignored her, content to eat a simple meal beside a flickering candle and retreat to bed. The following morning was just like the last. The judge heard the complaints of merchants and politicians before seeing the woman again at his desk.
- [10:57]
Leora
Please grant me justice, she pleaded again.
- [11:02]
Narrator
The judge's demeanor shifted from annoyance to anger. He stood from his desk and shouted, before.
- [11:08]
Judge
I wouldn't hear your case before because I didn't care. But now I refuse to hear your case because you are annoying. Leave now.
- [11:20]
Narrator
She looked away and clenched her fist. Her body was trembling from disappointment and grief. She gazed up at the judge with fiery eyes. It made the judge uncomfortable. His eyes shifted to the guards, and they again escorted her out of the courtroom. Her constant pleas didn't soften the judge's heart, however. He had to credit her for her persistence. He shook his head and sighed as she left. The judge raised his hand and said, wait. She turned and looked at the judge with hopeful eyes.
- [11:54]
Judge
Are you planning on leaving here and waiting beside my home again?
- [11:59]
Narrator
He asked. The woman shrugged.
- [12:02]
Leora
I have nowhere else to go. Since I have been robbed of my home and inheritance. I will persist until I have justice.
- [12:11]
Narrator
The judge waved her out as the doors closed. The judge ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. He turned to the clerk and said.
- [12:21]
Judge
I don't fear God, and I would like the record to show that I do not care one iota about that woman or what anyone thinks of me.
- [12:31]
Narrator
He paused and released a sigh.
- [12:35]
Judge
But that woman's persistent pleas have me concerned for my safety. She's going to attack me one of these days. Grant her 5% of that man's company and restore her home. Hopefully now she will stop bothering me and I can have peace and quiet.
- [12:54]
Narrator
That night. The judge left the courtroom and looked down each alleyway as he turned the corner of his home. He expected to see the widow out there again, but she wasn't. Her persistence had paid off and she could now have a home again. The judge opened his house door and sat beside his candle. He was alone, just how he liked it.
- [13:18]
Jesus
Jesus held out his arms and said.
- [13:22]
Narrator
The Lord is speaking to you. Now open your ears and hear it. This widow was persistent in her pleas for justice. And even though the judge was wicked and indifferent, he still granted her request. How much more does your heavenly Father hear the cries of those he loves? God will bring justice for his chosen ones. He will answer those who cry out to him day and night.
- [13:49]
Jesus
Jesus rested his arms on his lap and smiled.
- [13:54]
Narrator
You will get your justice, my friends. But when justice comes and the Son of Man returns to deliver his justice, will there still be people of faith on earth?
- [14:07]
Jesus
Jesus settled there with a question. When the Son of Man returns one day to bring justice and to respond to the pleas of his people, will there still be people of prayer remaining? Will there still be people fanning the flames of faith?
- [14:33]
Zach
You know prayer isn't unique to Christianity, right? Every religion prays. There are even some atheistic gatherings that pray as a habit of mindfulness. What sets us apart in our belief is who we are praying to God and his character. It's easy to lose heart in prayer or to grow tired in prayer, because we don't always have a solid and grounded understanding of who we are praying to. We're praying to a generous, loving and giving God who listens intently to our pleas. But sometimes it's hard to perceive him that way. The judge in Jesus parable didn't fear God or have a heart for the law. He was most likely a Roman magistrate hired to oversee Jewish disputes. He lacked empathy, nuance and mercy. This judge is meant to show us a contrast to God's heart. God isn't cold and calloused like this judge. God is attentive, personal and abundant in mercy. The unjust judge only reluctantly answered the woman's request. Jesus didn't give this parable to say that God was like this judge, but rather that he was unlike him. God loves to answer our prayers. He even helps us when we pray. It says that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, even when all we have to offer are groans and mumblings. You see, God is on your side when you pray. He's not against you, as the unjust judge was against this widow. Some of us have a skewed image of God, though, and that hinders our prayer life. Sometimes we perceive God as a judge shaking his head and banging his gavel against us. That's why when some of us Pray. We think we have to overcome God's reluctance, like the widow did to the judge. This misses the point of the parable entirely. We don't have to annoy God to gain his ear. We don't have to pester him to answer our prayers. However, we are encouraged to match this widow's persistence. We are meant to be on our knees daily, seeking God's will and imploring him to help us. He may delay, but there is a refining process for us as he waits to answer us. Persistence in prayer brings a transforming element into our lives. It builds us into the character of God himself. It is a way that God molds and shapes our hearts to care about things in the same way that he does. If we pray for something and then forget to follow up the next day, that must mean that it wasn't all that important after all. You see, God encourages us to engage in less flippant and fleeting prayers, exchanging them for more earnest and persistent prayers. The things we're persistent in prayer for daily are the things worth praying for. The more you pray for something or someone, the deeper your heart is moved and the more honestly you engage with God in the first place. That's where real transformation occurs, in the persistent, continual and unrelenting seeking that happens between you and God. But let's not bury the lead here. If we pray for a Ferrari and God delays in answering, we understand that he's probably purposefully withholding that thing. And the more we pray for it, the more we realize we don't need it. But what about people who pray for something really important? What about people who pray for something really important, like justice? That's what this widow was praying for. That's what this widow was pleading for day after day. She wanted justice. You see, those in the fire of persecution or who are enduring injustice or a great deal of suffering need special grace to persevere. They need the refining and beautiful process of prayer. All the more, they need to be assured that God is not like the unjust judge. That's why Jesus reassures us that justice will come. God is not lax or apathetic to the suffering of his people. He heard the cries of his people in Egypt. He sent heroes to save his people when they repented and called out to him. God will always make a way, and he's always going to make things right. Now the timing of that is in question. But as we wait for now, you and I get the distinct privilege of being ministers of justice here on Earth. We get to be agents of change. His Feet moving to people in need and his hands healing those who are suffering. You see, Jesus has called us to be the answer to some people's prayers. James 2 says this. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he doesn't have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, go, be in peace, be warmed and filled without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say to you, oh, I have faith and I have works. Well, show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. This is deep and abiding wisdom from James. He is saying that many people are going to pray for many things, and our prayers ought to be persistent for people that are in need, but our prayers should be matched with action. Suppose someone comes up to you and says, I've been really lonely lately and I feel like I don't have a lot of community around me. Can you pray that God would send me community? It's one thing to say, God, I pray that this person would have community. I pray that you would send people their way that would love them and support them and cheer them on in life. It's another thing entirely to invite them out for coffee, to invite them over to your house for a meal, and to engage in fellowship with that person so that you could be the answer to their prayer. So Jesus is going to bring ultimate change and ultimate answer to our prayers into eternity. But he also might use us individually to meet the needs. Now, there are people in your neighborhood praying for help. Have you made yourself available? There are lonely co workers praying for a friend. Have you been attentive to those people around you? You may very well be the answer to someone's plea. Be alert, be ready, and always remember, God is not a wicked judge shaking his head in judgment over you. He's a loving father wanting to hear your pleas, hear your embrace, and transform your life. Thanks for joining us today on the Jesus Podcast. If these stories have brought value to your faith, consider leaving us a review. We would love to hear from you. And we would love to hear how the stories of Jesus told in this way are actually transforming lives. This is an iHeart podcast.