Our scripture this week is Luke 18:1-8.
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Jesus used parables to explain heavenly things in earthly terms. In this scripture passage he uses the example of an “unjust” judge – a seeming contradiction, but one to which those hearing the parable would relate. A judge that does not fear God nor what people think is a dangerous situation.
Many of our leaders seem to take into account what people think and that is the motivator for their actions. While representing the opinions of people whom a leader serves is important to a point, a leader also functions as the conscience of a group, charged not with merely putting popular opinion into law, but informing people of the consequences of an action and generating discussion about the effects.
Most of us would want our leaders to have a fear of God to execute matters of state and the people in a moral manner. Sadly, many leaders do not seem to fear God or to have a personal relationship with Him, and that was the case with the judge in this parable. Someone that does not know the Lord and cares nothing for the people is a dangerous leader indeed.
Loving Lord, we are often divided about what to do in Your world by our own thoughts and opinions, and by our selfish desire to be in control. Help us to give up all things to Your control that true justice and freedom may come upon the earth. Amen.