Introduction
Jesus is still talking about the kind of faith that receives the kingdom of God (Lk. 18:8, 17). It’s faith like a persistent widow, faith like a tax collector, faith like a child.
The Text: Having just urged His disciples to look for the kingdom with humble faith, being willing to give up everything, Jesus tells a parable to encourage them to always pray and not lose heart (Lk. 18:1). The parable is about a widow who persistently applies to an unrighteous judge for justice against her adversary (Lk. 18:2-5). And Jesus says that if an unrighteous judge will eventually wear down under the pleas of a powerless widow, how much more so will God give justice speedily to His elect who cry to him (Lk. 18:6-8)? Likewise, Jesus tells another parable warning against those who trust in themselves for their righteousness (Lk. 18:9). In the parable, a Pharisee and a tax collector go to the temple to pray (Lk. 18:10). The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like other men and fasts and tithes (Lk. 18:11-12). The tax collector stands far off with his eyes lowered in shame, beats his breast, pleading for God’s mercy (Lk. 18:13). Surprisingly, Jesus says that the tax collector went home justified because he humbled himself (Lk. 18:14). Finally, the disciples rebuke some who bring their children to Jesus, but Jesus tells them to let the children come because the kingdom of God belongs to them and only those who receive the kingdom like children will enter it (Lk. 18:15-17).
Receiving the Justice of God
Part of the key to understanding what is about to happen in the days of the first disciples is understanding what Jerusalem has become. Jesus has pronounced “woes” on the Pharisees and teachers of the Law (Lk. 11:37-52). He has said that the men of Nineveh will rise up and condemn this generation in the judgment (Lk. 11:32). He has warned against the “leaven of the Pharisees,” which suggests that they have become like an Egypt (Lk. 12:1). Jerusalem is a city that kills the prophets (Lk. 13:34). The Pharisees justify themselves before men, and this is an abomination before God (Lk. 16:15). Now He has just declared that the Son of Man and His kingdom will be revealed in a great judgment (Lk. 17:26-30). And following the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus is still talking about the Son of Man coming (Lk. 18:8). Therefore, it seems very likely that the parable of the widow is about the followers of Jesus not losing heart when they are persecuted by the Jewish leaders and Pharisees – their “adversaries” (Lk. 18:3). The way that God “will give justice to His elect” and answer their prayers is by delivering His people from the Jewish leaders, beginning after the stoning of Stephen when the church is scattered until Jerusalem is finally destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. This is how the kingdom of the Son of Man will come for all who have faith to see and receive it.
The Contempt of Pride
The parable of the tax collector and Pharisee is yet another grave warning to the Pharisees, but it continues several thoughts from the previous parable. The question of who will go home justified is the same as to whom God will give justice (Lk. 18:6, 14). The one God will not vindicate/justify is the one whom God has condemned. Likewise, the scene is one of prayer. It is not merely enough to be persistent; it must be a persistent humility. The one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted (Lk. 18:14). The same story could be told in numerous ways for different audiences: a soup kitchen volunteer and a slimy lawyer walk into a church to pray…, a homeschooling mom and single mom on food stamps walk into a church to pray…, a grandmother and a pedophile walk into a church to pray…, a conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat walk into a church to pray…, an ex-convict and a rich CEO walk into a church to pray. The point is that before God there are no obstacles on His end only pride on our end. Notice what pride does: it is self-centered, self-focused, self-obsessed even in prayer. The Pharisee has said “I” five times in the course of two sentences! The text somewhat ambiguously suggests that he is actually praying to himself or that he is the only one listening (Lk. 18:11). His prayer pretends to be full of thankfulness, but the pretense fades as he compares himself with other sinners and lists his qualifications (Lk. 18:11-12). True gratitude is selfless because it realizes everything is a gift (1 Cor. 4:7). Pride justifies itself by comparing itself to others. I must be doing OK because I’m not like… I must be doing OK because I’m doing better than… I must be doing OK because I’m keeping up with… But this kind of thinking can’t help but despise others.
The Faith of Humility
God justifies the tax collector because he claims no rights before God. The tax collector stands far off (Lk. 18:13). The tax collector refuses to raise his eyes to heaven (Lk. 18:13). The tax collector beats his breast in agony and shame (Lk. 18:13). And the only words he can muster are: “God be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Lk. 18:13). In every way, the tax collector relinquishes any rights or claims before God. Of course, ever since Jesus told this parable, proud men have tried to imitate this man’s posture: looking down, beating their chest, or repeating his prayer like an incantation. But humility claims no rights before God. Humility fears God and stands before God completely naked. At the same time, humility doesn’t lie about the gifts of God. It is not pride to thank God for His gifts; it is pride to thank God for giving you gifts and thinking that makes you better than others (Lk. 18:11). Pride also sometimes pretends God has given you nothing (pride dressed up like humility). This is because pride fundamentally believes that God is stingy. Therefore, there is a shortage of His goodness. So you must somehow make up for that, assuring yourself by comparing yourself, by justifying yourself. But the wonderful vindication and justice of God comes only by receiving. You can’t get the peace of God, the deliverance of God, it has to be given. This is why the central motif of salvation is resurrection. And it’s the same power that continues to carry us which is only received by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:3-9). This is why children are the model citizens of the kingdom: everything they have is provided for them (Lk. 18:17).
Conclusion
All three of these scenes feature people in need: a needy widow, a needy tax collector, and needy children. All three are powerless to do anything except ask for justice, mercy, or even a touch of love and blessing, and all three must receive what is provided for them by their Heavenly Father. And Jesus says, to such belongs the kingdom of God. He will give justice to them speed