Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

In the parable which Jesus demonstrated about the persistent widow, are shown two persons with complete opposite characters. On the one side stands an unjust judge. Jesus describes him as an ego-centric, ambitious man who, most likely would have been very prosperous. He chooses his “cases”. If they seemed rewarding, he would have made himself available.

With the widow’s request he refused to occupy himself. There was no money in this, or headlines to be made. The last instance of all responsibilities was he himself. He knew no meekness nor reverence or fear toward God. On the other side stands the widow, who had suffered wrongly. She lost her husband and therefore had no one who would look after her needs.

Those in similar situations know how difficult it is to master life in many situations, if one stand alone. Without some encouragement, some assistance from friends and relatives, one is very often dependent on oneself. This parable points out that this widow had no “Lobby”. Her request may have been to others around her, really un-important, even repugnant. That the unjust judge finally accepted to avenge her had two reasons. First of all, this woman with her untiring importunity, gave him a lot of trouble. She must have put her request at any suitable and unsuitable opportunity to him. One can imagine that, she continually laid in his ears. She influenced his usual course of the day with her presence; she became really troublesome to him. The second reason was that he feared a disgrace. Well, he was a prominent personality, belonged to the upper class of society, he was somebody influential. If this widow, this nobody would openly rail on him the disgrace would be enormous.

These thoughts caused him to procure her rights. Jesus says now: The inner attitude of the elect, waiting for its Lord, amidst an unrighteous world, should be the same as the tireless widow. It is true: Christ’s congregation stands alone in this world, has no advocate, has no lobby. The congregation enjoys no great respect, is in other words ignored. It is not profitable to intervene for its importance. One can’t earn any money with it nor win prestige; no headlines are to be made.

This is truly the position and life situation of the Church. She possesses only one “weapon”: – the persistence in prayer and then comes the encouraging word of Jesus: “Shall not God avenge His own elect who cry to Him day and night, will He defer them and delay help on their behalf?

This is the Advent’s invitation: The congregation must bring their request: before God day and night, begging unceasingly for the Kingdom of Righteousness, lay in His ear to request the second Advent, so that God’s Kingdom will be set up at last in which peace and righteousness reigns.  “Thy Kingdom Come”.