The Parables about
the Friend in Need and
the Widow and the Judge
THE FRIEND IN NEED: Luke 11:5-9
5. Jesus said to HIS Disciples, "If you have a friend, and you go to your friend at midnight and ask, 'Friend, may I borrow three loaves-of-bread.
6. A visitor came to my house, and I have nothing to serve him.'
7. Will your friend answer, 'Don't bother me. The door is-locked, and the family is all in bed. I can't get-up and give you anything.'
8. I tell you, if he doesn't-want-to get-up and give you anything because you are his friend, no-matter. If you continue bothering him, he will get-up and give you anything you need.
9. Now I tell you, ask and it will be-given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be-opened for you."
THE WIDOW & THE JUDGE: Luke 18:1-8
1. Jesus told the people a story to show that they should always pray and not become tired and give-up.
2. "In a town lived a judge. He didn't love God, and he didn't-care about anything the people thought.
3. In that town lived a WIDOW woman, and she went to the judge often and said, 'Please judge honestly and protect me from my enemy.'
4. First, the judge refused to help her, but then he thought, 'Indifferent I don't love God, and I don't-care about people's thinking, this woman still bothers me often.
5. I must judge her honestly, or she will continue coming to me, and I will become tired of listening to her.'"
6. Jesus said, "Listen to the words that selfish judge says. Surely God will judge honestly HIS special people that pray to HIM day-and-night. Correct?
7. Is God slow in helping HIS people? No! God will quickly answer,
8. And help HIS people. But when I, the Son of Man, come again, will I find trust?"
These two stories teach us about prayer.
First, these stories teach us about God.
He is
kind,
generous [giving... giving...],
and He will do the right thing.
The Bible calls that "justice."
Second, these stories teach us that when we have needs,
those needs we bring to Him,
and we trust Him,
that He will do the right thing.
The widow is an example for
how Christians should pray.
The bad judge doesn't-want to help her.
No-matter.
He proceeds to help her.
Why?
Because she shoulder-pokes... pokes... pokes... pokes...
She won't stop until that bad judge finally does the right thing.
Is God the same-as that bad judge?
Does God have the same selfish attitude? No!
God really wants to help us.
He is eager, wanting to do the right thing.
But if we wait for His answer,
in His time,
and in His way,
the devil tempts us to give up.
Jesus says,
"No! Don't give up! Continue trusting God!
He will answer in His best way for you."
When Martin Luther wrote his explanation for the Lord's Prayer,
he said:
First, these stories teach us about God.
He is
kind,
generous [giving... giving...],
and He will do the right thing.
The Bible calls that "justice."
Second, these stories teach us that when we have needs,
those needs we bring to Him,
and we trust Him,
that He will do the right thing.
The widow is an example for
how Christians should pray.
The bad judge doesn't-want to help her.
No-matter.
He proceeds to help her.
Why?
Because she shoulder-pokes... pokes... pokes... pokes...
She won't stop until that bad judge finally does the right thing.
Is God the same-as that bad judge?
Does God have the same selfish attitude? No!
God really wants to help us.
He is eager, wanting to do the right thing.
But if we wait for His answer,
in His time,
and in His way,
the devil tempts us to give up.
Jesus says,
"No! Don't give up! Continue trusting God!
He will answer in His best way for you."
When Martin Luther wrote his explanation for the Lord's Prayer,
he said:
"Our Father who art in Heaven..."
What does this mean?
This sentence teaches us that God invites us to believe that
(1) He is our true Father, and
(2) we are His true children.
We can, bold and trusting, ask God
as dear children ask their dear father.
That lesson Jesus teaches us again and again in the Bible.
Jesus said:
Jesus said:
"If your son asks you for a fish,
will you give-him a snake? No!
If your son asks for an egg,
will you give-him a spider? No!
Now, if you sinful people know how to give your children good gifts, then think how much more your Father in heaven will give His Holy Spirit to people that asking HIM!" (Luke 11:11-13)
Question:
Does God promise that He will give us everything we want?
Of course not!
Sometimes He says, "No,"
because He knows what is best for us.
God is not a candy machine -
put in a $1 and get our wish.
God is concerned about our NEEDS,
not our GREEDS.
Sometimes God holds-back what we want
for encouraging us to desire more of what we need.
We know that God loves us
and He knows what is best for us.
So... let us trust Him
and pray!
Does God promise that He will give us everything we want?
Of course not!
Sometimes He says, "No,"
because He knows what is best for us.
God is not a candy machine -
put in a $1 and get our wish.
God is concerned about our NEEDS,
not our GREEDS.
Sometimes God holds-back what we want
for encouraging us to desire more of what we need.
We know that God loves us
and He knows what is best for us.
So... let us trust Him
and pray!