The Parable in Luke 18
The parable in Luke 18 highlights the importance of prayer and the role of the devil as the opponent who stirs up persecution and confusion, and the need for God's justice and deliverance.
Watchman Nee expounds on the parable in Luke 18, illustrating the dynamics of prayer through the figures of the judge, the widow, and the opponent. The judge symbolizes God, albeit negatively, while the widow represents faithful Christians who cry out for justice against their adversary, the devil. Nee emphasizes that the widow's persistent plea for vengeance highlights the reality of spiritual opposition and the grievances that arise from it. He argues that without the opponent, there would be no need for the widow's cries, underscoring the importance of recognizing the spiritual battles we face. Ultimately, the parable teaches that God, unlike the unjust judge, will respond to our cries for help against our adversary.
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In the parable in Luke 18, our Lord Jesus points out these three aspects of prayer and their relationship to prayer. In this parable there are three parties: (1) the judge, (2) the widow, and (3) the opponent. The judge represents God, though in a negative sense. The widow represents the present church or individual faithful Christians. The opponent represents our enemy, the devil. In expounding this parable, we often pay attention only to the relationship between the judge and the widow.
We see how the judge did not fear God and did not respect man, yet due to the widow's persistent cry, he eventually avenged her. Our God, not being heartless like this judge, will surely avenge us because of our crying! This is all that we say and all that we pay attention to, yet there is one most important figure whom we miss and neglect. Without the opponent, there would be no need for the widow to cry to the judge. It is because of the persecution of the opponent that the widow cries to the judge.
If we consider the words which the widow speaks to the judge, we cannot help but consider the opponent. For the sake of brevity the Bible only records, "Avenge me of my opponent." How much is contained in this word! Does it not include a sorrowful tale? Those who cry out for avenging must have grievances, but where do the grievances come from? Surely they come from the oppression of the opponent, the one being accused. The Bible calls this one the opponent, which shows us the intensity of his hatred toward the widow.
The Bible says that the widow asked to be avenged of her opponent. This shows the severity of the persecution suffered by the widow at the hand of the opponent. Hence, the widow was relating to the judge the history and the present threat of the opponent toward her. She asked the judge to punish the opponent and to avenge her for her grievances. Hence, strictly speaking, the opponent is the most crucial figure in this parable. Without him, no damage would have occurred under the judge's rule, and the widow could have lived and worked happily without being disturbed.
Without him, there would not have been such a parable; nothing like this would have happened. The one who stirs up the wind and the waves is this opponent. He is the creator of all confusion and persecution. Hence, he deserves the most attention.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Parable in Luke 18
- A. The three parties in the parable: judge, widow, and opponent
- B. The judge represents God, the widow represents the church or individual Christians, and the opponent represents the devil
- II. The Relationship Between the Judge and the Widow
- A. The judge's lack of fear for God and respect for man
- B. The widow's persistent cry and the judge's eventual avenging
- III. The Importance of the Opponent
- A. The opponent as the creator of confusion and persecution
- B. The opponent as the one who stirs up the wind and the waves
- C. The opponent as the most crucial figure in the parable
Key Quotes
“Without the opponent, there would be no need for the widow to cry to the judge.” — Watchman Nee
“The one who stirs up the wind and the waves is this opponent.” — Watchman Nee
“He is the creator of all confusion and persecution.” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- We must not neglect the importance of prayer in our lives, especially in times of persecution and confusion.
- We must trust in God's justice and deliverance, and not be afraid of our enemies.
- We must recognize the devil as our opponent and resist his schemes and attacks.