Today’s Gospel:  Luke 18:1-8

REFLECTION
Orthodox Jews prayed publicly three times each day, and most people throughout the Arab world still follow this procedure. In today’s Gospel, probably the Lord was urging His disciples to develop an attitude of prayer; that is, to remain in the spirit of prayer; to maintain a conscious dependence upon the goodness of God rather than lapse into a feeling of self-sufficiency. To emphasize the importance of prayer He used the parable of the unjust judge.

There were two kinds of judges in Palestine. The first was the orthodox judge who upheld the principles of the Mosaic law; the man in whom most of the people trusted. The second was the one appointed either by the Romans or King Herod. These for the most part were scoundrels. Such judges were notorious. Unless a plaintiff had influence and money to bribe his way to a verdict, he had no hope of ever getting his case settled. They were said to pervert justice for a dish of meat. People even punned on their title. Officially they were called “Dayyaneh Gezeroth,” which means, “judges of prohibitions or punishments.” Behind their backs, people called them “Dayyaneh Gezeloth,” which means, “robber judges.” The judge in the text belonged to this category for of him it was said, “he feared not God, nor regarded man.” This could not have been said of any man whose life was dedicated to the enactment of laws given by Jehovah. The unjust judge was one of the paid magistrates appointed by the local rulers.

The widow belonged to the poorer classes; she had no means to further her cause except by direct petition to the judge. We are not told the nature of her complaint, nor the identity of the accused. These details were unnecessary, for the theme here is prayer and not primarily injustice. She brought her request to the magistrate only to discover he intended to do nothing to help her. She had neither money nor influence, but as a persistent woman, she possessed a tongue and knew how to use it! Her persistence troubled the judge and forced him to take action. However, the Greek word used in this instance is very suggestive. The word is “hupopiazee” and it denotes (a) that part of the face which is under the eyes; (b) a blow in that part of the face; a black and blue spot, a bruise; to beat black and blue; to smite so as to cause bruises and livid spots. From this comes the idea of giving intolerable annoyance - to beat one out; to wear one out by entreaties. One Bible version renders this, “Yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will defend, and protect, and avenge her; lest she give me intolerable annoyance, and wear me out by her continual coming, or at last, she come and rail on me, or assault me, or strangle me.”

The word picture of this woman is somewhat frightening. She was not a pathetic, insignificant, helpless widow. She not only had a tongue; she had muscles! She had a just cause, and did not intend to lose any baffle without first giving a good account of herself. In short, she meant business! This surely must be one of the most marvellous pictures of prayer to be found anywhere in the Gospels.

Certain scholars have objected to this parable. They do not like comparing this disgraceful judge with the Judge of all the earth. Their objections are superficial, for the Lord Jesus did not liken this man to God. Christ was teaching by contrasts, and saying that if a man of this unreliable kind could be persuaded by the persistence of a suppliant woman - HOW MUCH MORE COULD SAINTS BE SURE GOD WOULD ANSWER PRAYER. God does not need to be persuaded; the Almighty has not to be coaxed! Saints are not strangers nor unknown widow women. Believers are the sons and daughters of God. Therefore, there is no need of “black eyes, and strangulation” to obtain results - we ask in faith, and God according to His wisdom answers.

Today’s Reading:  3 John 1:5-8

PRAYER
Lord, if you find me persistent in my petitions and appeals, I am only taking your counsel to pray to you always.  But grant me my requests not according to my will but according to yours.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.