Stay Connected Persistently – Luke 18

A text – Luke 18:1-8

18:1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.
18:2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.
18:3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’
18:4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,
18:5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'”
18:6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.
18:7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?
18:8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

A reflection:

This is a story about persistence paying off. Even a judge who doesn’t respect or care for the people he sees in his work will finally grant the request of a persistent person and deliver what she is asking for: justice. Jesus tells the parable because he has been characterizing God as a deeply caring judge and creator who will be even more likely (and speedy) at giving justice to those who pray for it.

Psalm 121 also is a psalm of praise to the ultimate source of protection and help. God never slumbers and is always wanting to help and protect those to cry to God.

If Jesus teaches nothing else, he teaches that God wants to be in relationship to all the people of Earth – to all those for whom God is a loving parent and protector. How better to stay in right relationship than to communicate regularly. It is the best way to stay tuned in to one another.

When something goes wrong and a conflict begins, what is the quickest way to de-escalate the damaging gulf that forms between the two sides? Quick and honest and respectful communication – excellent listening and truthful speaking. Being vulnerable enough to be open to one another. When that happens, even threatened relationships have a chance to get back of a sure footing. Whether it’s neighbors arguing over a property line or siblings arguing over a possession, Jesus lesson here rings true: if we pray always and don’t lose heart, we will be rewarded.

So even if you don’t feel like it, talk with God even for 5 minutes today. And if the Son of Man should come back today, he will indeed find faith on earth.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the parables that your Son Jesus told. Thank you for encouraging us to see ourselves in those stories and learn more about you. Help us to stay connected to you, even when we don’t feel like it.  Amen.