This is a much easier passage than some of the ones we’ve had lately, but it could be confusing. The key is to realize that God isn’t anything like the judge. Whereas the judge only gives in after the widow has bothered him relentlessly, we know we have a God who cares for us, who wants to hear our prayers, who desires to intercede in our lives. So, where’s the tension?

Usually the parable is the thing that’s remembered but we also need to make sure we recall the occasion for the parable. The occasion here is so apparent it could be easily overlooked: 

-Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.

Prayer can be very different from one person to another. It’s not as if one type of prayer is superior to another, the key here is that prayer happens. Why? To not lose heart. 

This parable also has a summary conclusion. 

-When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

Pray always. Don’t lose heart. Find faith. 

With passages like this I’m always curious what Luke’s congregation, or Luke himself, may have been going through. Were they experiencing some difficultly that was challenging and caused Luke to tell his story of Jesus with this point in particular? 

In the parable the key word may be justice. The widow repeatedly asks the judge for justice against her accuser. I have some questions here. Who is the accuser, what is the accusation and why would anyone accuse a widow of anything? Am I supposed to identify with the widow or is the parable intended to spur me to see the widow, understand her needs, and cause reflection for how I’m supposed to respond? Maybe the answer is, yes. Maybe the parable is intended to help us understand how God responds to times of distress.

- And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?

Of course we know God wont delay. Of course we know God hears our cries. May we pray to God always, knowing that God hears our prayers and is working in our lives.