Persistent Widow (Unjust Judge)

Text: Luke 18:1–8

Opening: Why This Story Matters
Luke tells us why Jesus gave this story: so people “always pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Life brings delays, wrongs to be righted, and burdens that do not move at first touch. Jesus answers that weak place in us with a scene we can remember when the night stretches long: a widow keeps coming, day after day, and the judge finally acts. The Lord wants His disciples to keep asking, keep approaching, and keep expecting God to do what is right.

The Setting and the People
Jesus speaks of a judge who “did not fear God nor regard man.” He does not blush, he does not care, he does not serve for anything higher than himself. The other figure is a widow, among the most vulnerable in Israel’s law and prophets. She has no leverage, no money, no connections. She has one tool—persistence. She keeps coming with a simple plea: “Avenge me of my adversary.” The wording fits a lawful request for justice. She does not scheme, threaten, or quit. Steady steps to the right door become her way.

The Turning Point
The judge grows weary of her constant approach. His thoughts are plain: “Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me” (Luke 18:4–5). Jesus then draws His lesson: “Hear what the unjust judge said.” If persistence can move a hard man, steady prayer to the righteous Judge will never be wasted. God’s character and covenant stand in a different world than this judge. He hears day and night. He will bring justice.

What Jesus Emphasizes
Jesus speaks of “His own elect who cry out day and night to Him.” He assures action—“He will avenge them speedily”—and then asks a searching question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” The issue is perseverance. The people of God keep coming. They do not trade prayer for cynicism. They do not hand trials the last word. They stay with God’s appointed path until He acts.

How Steady Prayer Works
Steady prayer does not grow louder; it grows longer. It returns every morning and every evening. It holds the same request inside the will of God and keeps walking in obedience while the answer ripens. It couples the Lord’s promise with the Lord’s timing. It gathers other scriptures around the need: “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2), “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16–18). This is the rhythm Jesus teaches: ask, seek, knock—and keep doing so (Luke 11:5–13; 18:1).

Obstacles That Erode Perseverance
Weariness whispers that nothing is happening. Delay feels like denial. Distraction trades prayer time for lesser tasks. Hidden resentment says, “Why hasn’t God dealt with this?” Jesus lifts our eyes. He points to the character of God, the certainty of judgment, and the value of faith that stays at the door. Galatians 6:9 gives the same spine: do not grow weary in well-doing, for harvest comes “in due season.”

Justice, Timing, and the Word “Speedily”
“Speedily” means at the right moment, without hesitation when the time arrives. Scripture often pairs God’s patience toward sinners with sudden action at the appointed hour (2 Peter 3:8–9; Romans 2:4–6). Revelation shows saints who cry, “How long?” and are told to rest a little while until the full number of witnesses is complete (Revelation 6:9–11). The picture from Jesus stands firm: God hears day and night, and He will settle accounts. Faith lives inside that assurance.

Practicing Persistence With Understanding
Steady prayer stays aligned with God’s revealed will. We ask according to His purposes, obey His commands, and keep our hands at the tasks He has given. We do not add human rules and call them faith. We do not subtract the Lord’s commands and call it trust. We approach Him as He directs, and we live as He directs (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 5:14–15). This is the path that keeps prayer clear and conscience steady.

Building a Life That Does Not Lose Heart
Choose set times and keep them. Start with Scripture so that petitions ride on the Lord’s words. Keep a short list of requests that serve His kingdom and return to them daily. Record mercies and answers; remembrance strengthens endurance. Ask righteous people to pray with you. Keep doing good while you wait (Luke 18:1; Colossians 4:2; James 5:16; Galatians 6:9–10).

Conclusion: The Question Jesus Leaves With Us
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Faith stands at the door and keeps knocking. Faith holds the promise and stays within the Lord’s pattern. Faith takes up tomorrow’s prayer with yesterday’s patience. The widow’s steady steps became her story. Let them become ours.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline

• Text & Aim

  • Luke 18:1–8 — Jesus teaches steady prayer that does not lose heart.

• Characters & Setting

  • Unjust judge: without fear of God or regard for people.

  • Widow: vulnerable, lawful request, single tool—persistence.

• Plot Movement

  • Repeated petitions; judge relents from fatigue; widow receives justice.

• Jesus’ Lesson

  • “Hear what the unjust judge said.”

  • A fortiori application: steady prayer to the righteous Judge is never wasted.

  • God hears His people day and night; He will act “speedily.”

  • Search question: Will He find faith when He comes?

• Doctrinal Bearings

  • Prayer joined to obedience (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9).

  • Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2).

  • Effectual prayer of the righteous (James 5:16–18).

  • God’s timing and patience (2 Peter 3:8–9; Revelation 6:9–11).

• Obstacles to Persistence

  • Weariness, delay, distraction, resentment; cures found in promise, character, judgment certainty.

• Practices of Persistence

  • Fixed times; Scripture-shaped petitions; concise list of kingdom-serving requests; written remembrance; shared prayer; active obedience while waiting.

• Applications

  • Personal wrongs—seek lawful right, keep praying, keep honest.

  • Church burdens—pray day and night for soundness, unity, open doors (Colossians 4:3).

  • Evangelism—name souls daily; ask for courage and opportunity (Acts 4:29; Colossians 4:4).

  • Trials—ask for endurance and wisdom (James 1:2–5).

• Appeal

  • Take up the Lord’s purpose for this parable: pray always and do not lose heart.

  • Renew obedience where it has slackened; align petitions with the Lord’s will and keep going.

Call to Action
Set two anchors today: a daily time of prayer you will guard, and one righteous request you will carry every day for the next thirty days. Approach God as He directs, obey what He has spoken, and hold steady. The Lord hears day and night, and He will act at the right time.

Scripture Reference List (with brief notes)
Luke 18:1–8 — Core parable; purpose stated; promise and question.
Matthew 7:21 — Entrance tied to doing the Father’s will; prayer joins obedience.
Hebrews 5:9 — Salvation described for those who obey Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray without ceasing; steady rhythm.
Colossians 4:2–4 — Continue steadfastly; be watchful with thanksgiving; pray for open doors.
James 5:16–18 — The prayer of a righteous person has great power; Elijah as example.
Galatians 6:9–10 — Do not grow weary; due season will come.
2 Peter 3:8–9 — The Lord’s timing and patience; certainty of His promise.
Revelation 6:9–11 — “How long?” prayed by the slain; answer set on God’s timetable.
Philippians 4:6–7 — Bring everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving; God guards hearts and minds.
Luke 11:5–13 — Friend at midnight; ask, seek, knock—ongoing.

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO