The Widow
The sermon highlights the helplessness and weakness of the Christian on earth, emphasizing the need for humility and dependence on the Lord.
Watchman Nee emphasizes the plight of the widow as a metaphor for the Christian experience on earth, highlighting the isolation and helplessness that believers often feel in a world that can be hostile and unkind. He draws parallels between the widow's dependence on her husband and the Christian's reliance on Jesus, who has ascended to heaven, leaving believers to navigate life without worldly power or status. Nee points out that Christians are called to humility and endurance, facing ridicule and persecution much like the widow, and that they should not expect better treatment than their Lord, who suffered without complaint. The sermon serves as a reminder of the spiritual strength found in weakness and the importance of embracing one's identity as a follower of Christ amidst adversity.
Text
This widow was helpless. The word widow shows her isolated situation. The husband on whom she depended for her living was gone, and she had become a widow. This is a good representation of a Christian on earth. Our Lord Jesus has ascended to the heavens. As far as the flesh goes, Christians are helpless and are like widows. The teaching of Matthew 5 tells us of the sufferings that Christians face on earth. They are the weak and have no power to resist anyone; everywhere they go they are taken advantage of and ridiculed by others. Neither the Lord Jesus nor the apostles taught the believers to have great power or high position in the world. Instead, they should be humble, despised, and persecuted everywhere by others.
They cannot base their reasoning with others on justice or the law.
This is the portion of the Christians; it is the way that the Lord has prepared for them. If the Son of God was crucified without opposing or murmuring, why should His disciples expect to receive better treatment? Hence, this widow is a true representation of the Christians in this age.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Helplessness of the Christian
- A. Dependent on the Lord for living
- B. Weak and powerless in the flesh
- C. Subject to suffering and persecution
- II. The Portion of the Christian
- A. Humble and despised by others
- B. Persecuted and ridiculed everywhere
- III. The Example of the Son of God
- A. Crucified without opposing or murmuring
- B. A model for His disciples to follow
Key Quotes
“This is a good representation of a Christian on earth.” — Watchman Nee
“If the Son of God was crucified without opposing or murmuring, why should His disciples expect to receive better treatment?” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- Christians should recognize their helplessness and dependence on the Lord for living.
- They should follow the example of the Son of God in humility and sacrifice.
- They should not expect better treatment than their Lord, but rather be prepared for suffering and persecution.