Preaching and the Land - Luke 18:1-8

The lectionary text for this Sunday's worship is Luke 18:1-8.  Only Luke has this parable entitled by most scholars as the parable of the unjust judge.  Personally, I call it the parable of the audacious widow.

Jesus was on his way up to Jerusalem.  He paused to tell his entourage about prayer.  In all matters, they should pray and not lose heart.

As over the preceding weeks, I have offered insights into the gospel texts provided by the Fifth Gospel.  What does "the land and culture" teach us about this parable and prayer?

• the judge's behavior perhaps does not surprise us, for this judge "neither feared God or regarded man"
• in other words, he cared neither about the opinion of God, nor man
• the judge was without shame
• the woman's behavior might surprise us since in the 1st century women did not appear in public places like a courtroom
• her status as a widow perhaps tells us that she had no choice but go to court 
• her circumstances, as with most widows, were desperate
• there was no safety net for such persons in Jesus' time
• the woman's continual coming so wore on the judge that he decided in her favor

There is a Yiddish word, chutzpah, which best describes the woman.  She is bold and audacious in her actions.

Jesus seized upon her audacity and lifted it up as the guide for prayer.  Further, he utilized a teaching technique from the rabbis by arguing from "the lesser to the greater." If an unjust judge responds favorably in the face of such boldness, how much more will our loving God hear and answer prayer.

HT: Bruce Malina