Friday 29 April, 2016

Luke’s gospel holds a great account of the parables that Jesus told.  This parable that we have just read is told in a particular way that was very familiar to the Jewish people of the time. It uses a type of Jewish logic, where whatever is true in the lesser instance must be even more true in the greater instance. Here the lesser instance is the unjust judge and his response, and the greater instance is God and his response. Using this logic would have made the message very clear and emphatic to the hearers of that time.

They would have heard it a bit like this… Even if God was an unjust judge, which we know he is not, even then he would hear and provide justice for the widow. How much more will your God, the God you know to be Just, answer your prayers for justice.

Other such examples are; the ravens and the lilies from Luke 12:24-28.  “ And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers (lesser version) that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you (greater version)”. And the sinful father who gives good gifts to his children from Luke 11:13 “So if you sinful people (lesser version) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father (greater instance) give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:11-13

These parables emphasis the incredible character of God and are a great encouragement to me. Thankyou God for your word. Thankyou God that you are a just God who hears my prayers and will answer, that you are my provider and you provide splendidly, and that you are a good father who has given me your Holy Spirit (the best gift).

Written by Zoe Stewart