(1) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (2) Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: (3) And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
The scope of this beautiful parable is not to insist upon the necessity of prayer; for the Lord's people are supposed to be a praying people. Psalms 27:8. No sooner doth grace at regeneration enter the heart, than the new-born soul breathes in prayer. Behold, he prayeth! is the first account the Lord himself gives at the conversion of Paul. Acts 9:11. But it is the perseverance in prayer, the holy vehemency and importunity of a soul in prayer, which, like Jacob, will not leave the mercy-seat without a blessing. Genesis 32:26. This is the great point, which the Lord Jesus so graciously teaches his redeemed and exercised ones, by the design of this parable. He who best knows how matters go on at the court of heaven, here instructs all his people how to hold on, and hold out, upon earth, until the needed mercy is obtained. In due time we shall reap if we faint not. Galatians 6:9. Reader! do not overlook this great design of the parable. Neither forget who it is that designed it. He who is the Almighty Advocate at the throne, in whose hands all petitions are lodged, and from whose prevalency in his priestly office, blood-shedding and righteousness, all success must be obtained. It is Jesus, all-precious Jesus, that thus recommends; and, in that recommendation, gives grace to perform. This God-man directs his people to carry all their sorrows, exercises, trials, temptations, fears, and unbelief to him, at his pardon-office, and there wait. And he gives an instance, by the similitude of a parable, how sure they are to succeed.
The Lord first gives the outlines of character in an unjust judge. The portrait Jesus draws of him, is but in two features; but the Lord hath so strongly marked them, that they convey the whole countenance, both of head and heart. He feared not God, neither regarded man. What an awful character in himself! and how unsuited for the office of a magistrate! It is true indeed, that every man by nature, and while remaining in a state of unregeneracy, hath not the fear of God before his eyes; but here is a monster of iniquity that sets God at defiance. Not content with living regardless of God, he prided himself in the contempt of God. He was arrived at that consummate degree of impudence as to boast of it; for he scrupled not to give his
own character, in openly declaring, that he feared not God, nor regarded man. To this infamous man a poor defenceless widow was compelled to bring her cause. What hope could there be that one who made no conscience of his ways would listen to her petition? Can any that have thrown off the fear of God be well disposed towards man?
The parable goes on: And there was a widow in that city (saith Jesus), and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of mine Adversary. Reader! do attend to the several features of character in which Jesus hath drawn her picture; and if, with an eye to the Church; in the case of every individual of Christ's mystical body, you consider the subject (for very evidently it was in this light Jesus intended it), the matter will become more striking. It is Christ's poor, despised, oppressed followers, the Lord meant by this widow. Not indeed that, in the strictest sense of the word, the Church is a widow, for Christ, her husband, is not dead, for he ever liveth. But the Church is called a widow. Lamentations 1:1. And while Christ is absent from her, she is considered as one in a widowed state. John 14:18. It is said that Jesus will come and bring home his wife to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Revelations 19:9. Hence, therefore, during the present day of grace, the Church may be considered as in the city of an unjust judge; and surrounded with many adversaries, both from within and without; and continually longing to be delivered from their power. It is the case of all the Lord's tried ones.