Calling the Church to Faithful Witness (Revelation 2-3)

Series: Following Jesus in a Hostile World

 

Most businesses have a way of evaluating the success of their companies. They will look at numbers, growth, productivity, finances, and whether they are meeting their goals. Every so often some “genius” in church growth develops a tool to evaluate churches in the same way. This tool measures church growth in terms of attendance, giving, programs, and how many people are serving in the church. 

            I’m not saying these tools aren’t useful. Recently, I was led to believe that we needed to do a SCOPE analysis of our leadership team to see if we are meeting goals and to discover how our personalities work. I brought this idea to Leadership and they essentially said, “Why?” I responded, “As pastor, I felt like I was supposed to suggest this. But I don’t really want to.” Pastors are supposed to aim for success in ministry.

            The temptation behind these tools is to evaluate the church by what we see. But as we saw in Revelation 1, Jesus walks among the churches and sees things from his perspective. We ask, “Are we doing the right things?” Jesus, however, looks at the heart, “Why are you doing what you are doing?” 

            In Revelation 2-3, Jesus hands out some heavy evaluations of the churches. But the point of Jesus’ critique was to bring the churches back to their original mission: To be a witness for Christ in the world. This is what Jesus cares about. 

            As we examine the seven churches, we will see that Jesus does not want to crush the church, but to encourage the return to witness. So, the question we want to ask ourselves is this: What is Jesus saying to the churches? What is he saying to us? 

 

1. “I know what’s going on in your church!” 

 

With all seven churches, we read these words seven times: “I know…” Jesus walks among the lampstands in John’s vision which represent the churches of Asia Minor. He is fully aware of the work and condition of each church. 

            Of five of the churches, Jesus says, “I know your works…” and of one, “I know your tribulation…” Two of the churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, are commended. But the other five are laid bare and exposed with piercing criticism. Their sins are rooted in the struggle to walk the way of the Lamb while failing to resist the influence of “Babylon.” To speak of “Babylon” in Revelation means everything in our world that opposes God: arrogance, sin, injustice, idolatry. 

We know this is a message for all churches in all times. We know it because it is King Jesus saying this. “And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each one of you according to your works,” (2:23). This statement stands at a pivotal point in the seven letters (middle). Jesus searches the hearts of the churches, and all the churches need to understand what’s at stake. 

            What does it look like when Babylon invades the church? This is a summary of what Jesus saw in his churches:

a) Their love had become disordered (2:4). Ephesus was a prominent church in the region. It had a heritage of good teaching from Paul to Timothy to Apollos. But even a church with great heritage can lose its way. Jesus commended them for their good teaching, but he said they had lost their first love. How had their love grown cold? We don’t know. But it seems that they had “released” their love, as Jesus puts it.

b) Their teachings were distorted (2:14-15, 20-23). It’s hard to know what the false teachers brought into these churches. Jesus says they were teaching a permissive message; that it’s okay to eat idol meat, or to blur the lines of sexual ethics.

c) Their worship was corrupted (2:14-15, 20-23). Along with blurring the lines of ethics, the churches were accommodating their environment. They were too comfortable with the world and its practices and mixed this into the church. Jesus calls this idolatry. 

d) Their walk was not consistent with the walk of the Lamb (3:1-2, 15-18). Sardis and Laodicea were guilty of this. Sardis did all the right things and had a good reputation, but Jesus said they were dead inside, like a burrito covered in melted cheese but the meat inside is ice cold. Laodicea was such a wealthy community they had become self-sufficient and solved their own problems with money. Jesus pictures himself standing outside the fellowship knocking to come in.

            It appears that these churches had an identity crisis. Were they following Christ or living for Babylon? Jesus does not allow both. You have to choose. Either or. Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenged the German church in the same way: “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without confession of sin…Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.” So, choose, Jesus says. 

 

2. “Watch out for Cultural Compromises.” 

 

You can see that the churches were in danger of losing their distinctiveness by allowing culture to dictate who they were. We become permissive of lifestyle choices in the guise of grace. Churches try to make the gospel attractive by loosening up on commands. Tolerating sin and popular ideologies leads to a distorted witness of Christ.

            Ephesus was not like that. Pergamum and Thyatira were. Ephesus did not allow false teaching but had no love for the lost and held a hard line. They went through the motions without emotions. Pergamum and Thyatira permitted sinful practices and were unwilling to do what was right for fear of offending anyone. They tolerated teachings Jesus condemned.

            How do you walk that thin line between truth and grace? The famous saying, “In the world but not of the world,” comes from Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Jesus asks the Father not to take his followers out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. But he underlines this reality, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world,” (17:16). In the KJV, Peter writes that we are called to be a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9). We are supposed to be a little odd.

            What makes us odd? Not caving to every cultural whim. Jesus tells the seven churches, “Watch out for cultural compromises.” Being a witness of the Lordship of Christ means that we submit to the values of the kingdom of God. The values of Babylon promote an agreement with the popular powers. These values are teaching us a lot about sexual identity and the worth of the fetus or the elderly. And it’s not good. The Bible tells us about the dignity of the human life in ways that are not logical to the current trends. 

            So, what would be the ideal circumstance for the church to thrive in the Canadian context? We are tempted to think it is getting the right legislation or member of Parliament in Ottawa. If there were more Christian influence in government, we could change society. But please consider this carefully, of the seven churches only two are without criticism and they were suffering persecution. The other five had compromised with Babylon, the powers that ruled the world. 

            We can compromise the gospel by accommodating the world, but we can also distort our witness by defending the truth without the love of Christ. Ephesus and Thyatira remind us that Jesus will accept neither failure as faithfulness. 

 

3. “This is what I need you to do.” 

 

Jesus walks among the churches. Hey, he knows RFC very well. He loves us and he wants us to be faithful. As Jesus warns the seven churches, he also tells them what they need to do to get back on track. 

             If Ephesus was the leading church in the region, we could consider what Jesus said to them as a starting point. Jesus said, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first…” (2:5). The Ephesians are given three commands: Remember, repent, and do. These three commands lead to one outcome. They are to remember the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of God that transformed them from sinners to children of God. Remember the love and joy you had at first when the gospel came to you. Remember the cost of Christ’s sacrifice and the depth of love God has shown you on the cross. Remember that and repent. We know that to repent is to turn back. You are going away from the gospel we just described and adding to it the ideals and philosophies of the world. You are allowing business techniques and strategies for success to replace dependence on Christ. You are compromising the gospel by watering down the gravity of sin for which Christ died. Turn around and go back to the cross. Then do the things that the grace of Christ prompts you to do, to think, to be a witness of. 

            Otherwise, Christ will have no choice but to remove your lampstand. If we are no longer preaching the gospel of Jesus with our lives, then we are presenting a message of self-righteousness. This is a false teaching.

            On the other side of the seven churches, Laodicea represents that self-reliance that tells God he is not needed. Jesus tells them, “This is what I need you to do.” “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see,” (3:18). 

            They were neither cold nor hot; they were lukewarm to Jesus because they were just there going through the motions of church. Their central problem was a blindness to their own spiritual need. They thought that was good enough. Jesus counseled them to stop finding their security in wealth and to yearn for the true riches of heaven.

            As each church needed a different word, so RFC needs a unique evaluation that is different than REMC or PV. The calling of each church is the same, however. Are we presenting ourselves as a living embodiment of the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Are we a faithful witness of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ? 

 

4. “Can you hear what I am saying?” 

 

Seven times, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

            Scopes and charts, graphs and surveys aside, look at what the Spirit says to the seven churches. Can you hear his evaluation of RFC? This is something that no one of us alone can answer. It must be done in community so that we discern the Spirit together. 

            I do challenge you to pray and ask these questions:

·      Are we fading in our love for Jesus? 

·      Are we compromising the gospel by allowing unbiblical ideas into the church?

·      Are we tolerating sin and calling it “keeping the peace”? Or “practicing grace”? 

·      Are we spiritually sleepy thinking and resting on our reputation as believers?

·      Have we become comfortable in our world so that we do not recognize Babylon? 

·      Have we become so self-reliant in our own resources that we forget to seek God and his kingdom? 

 

And as we pray…will we listen? 

 

Listening to Jesus means allowing him to change us…

As Paul declared, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,” (Romans 12:2)

 

                                                AMEN

Unveiling King Jesus (Revelation 1:1-20)

Series: Following Jesus in a Hostile World - A Series on Revelation

 

The world we live in is a hostile place. That’s not news; that’s reality. As I was fueling up at the St. Pierre Shell, I chatted with the attendant about the weather and other stuff. Then she commented on the condition of our world and stunned me by saying, “the world is a dumpster fire.” 

            It’s clear to everyone, no matter their faith perspective, that our world is a mess. We see it every time we turn on the news or read our feeds. Amid these global issues, Christians are under pressure to conform to ungodly ideologies. Sin is being normalized, making followers of Jesus look intolerant to a changing culture. 

            You may have heard someone say, “Things are getting worse and worse. It must be the End Times.” But Revelation doesn’t begin by answering the question, “When will the world end?” It begins by answering a more important question: Who is Jesus? 

            The book of Revelation was written to believers in churches living in a hostile world. It was written in such a way that John’s readers in the first century would understand it. Revelation was written to stir the imagination and convey a message of hope to followers of Jesus under fire. The goal was to bring its hearers to a point of worship and confidence in the One who reigns right now, Jesus Christ. It’s not only about the future; it’s a timeless message for believers in any age. 

            Revelation pulls back the curtain so we can see Jesus the King, speaking to and standing among his people. Come and see what John saw, what is real and true.

 

1. King Jesus Reveals Himself (1-3)

 

The first words of this book tell us what the whole book is about. It is a key to unlocking the central truth. We must not forget this key as we read. John writes, “The revelation of Jesus Christ…” 

            The word “revelation” comes from the term “apocalypse.” That term has been abused so much. I recall seeing a journalist reporting from a hurricane crying, “It’s the apocalypse!” No, it’s not. “Apocalypse” means “unveiling” or “to reveal” which is why we call the book “Revelation.” 

            What’s being revealed? Well, not what, but who? The tone of the opening words, “The revelation of Jesus Christ…” could be “from Jesus” or “about Jesus.” Which is it? Is it from him or about him? I will give you the college professor answer: Yes! 

            If you read the progression in the first two verses you will see that God gave Jesus this revelation, who gave it to an angel to give to John. John, probably in his 80s or 90s, is the same John of the gospel witness and the letters.

            So, about 60 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the church experiences the hostility of a godless world and needs to be reminded of who Jesus is. They need to be reminded of the resurrected and glorified Christ. They need to see what is really happening behind the visible actions of their world. They need to see how ugly the world system is. They need to see the beauty God sees in his people. They need to be reminded of God’s plan for renewal of all things. And we do too, don’t we? 

            This revelation of Jesus also comes with a blessing. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near,” (3). This is why we can’t ignore this book, as uncomfortable and frightening as it’s images may be. This is a sensory book. Listen to it. Don’t get lost in the details but imagine what it was like for 1^st century Christians to hear this. Look for Jesus in it. And then keep it. Obey it. Take courage from King Jesus.

The curtain is pulled back and we see Jesus.

 

2. King Jesus Reigns Over History (4-8)

 

Of particular encouragement is how John reveals King Jesus in this book. In a world seemingly out of control or in the hands of evil people and powerful forces bent on destruction, we will be bewildered. Where is God in this crazy world? Who’s in control?

            To answer this question, John gives a greeting to God’s people. “Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Do you see the Trinity in this greeting? Seven represents perfection, so John is talking about the perfect Spirit.

            How John describes Jesus is worth noting. Jesus is the faithful witness who represented God’s purpose and will and gospel when he lived among us. Even when opposed by the religious authorities, Jesus held firm to the task of preaching God’s kingdom. It led to his death, but he was “the firstborn of the dead,” resurrected by the power of God. He was raised from the dead, and he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. 

            Now imagine a follower of Jesus standing for the good news in the face of opposition. It’s hard to resist the pressure to conform. But Jesus did it. Perhaps it will cost you your life. Jesus was raised from the dead. And who is truly in control of the history of our world? Emperors? Politicians? Jesus! 

            And this Jesus loves you and has a hand on you. John writes, “To him who loves us…” Several years ago, an EMC pastor declared that the Bible nowhere says, “Jesus loves you.” But look at this verse: He loves us. He has freed us from our sins. He has made us a kingdom and priests.  Before Revelation shows us beasts and dragons and judgment, it tells us this: Jesus loves his people. 

            God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega…” He is the beginning and the end of life. It belongs to him. The world may look like it is controlled by other powers, Revelation unveils the King who actually reigns over all history. That is encouraging to God’s people when they face hostility.

The curtain is pulled back and we see who is really in control.

 

3. King Jesus Speaks to His People (9-11)

 

John knows hostility. Here is an 80-year-old man being treated like a major threat to the Roman Empire. He is imprisoned on an island, Patmos, for speaking about Jesus. Somehow this was subversive; somehow this upset the status quo of the Roman program. So, they exiled him. 

            He writes, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance…” Note that John writes in the present tense: he and the church of the first century were in the tribulation. John doesn’t write as someone waiting for the tribulation to begin, He writes as someone already experiencing it. 

            Ever since the message of the gospel was given to us, there has been hostility from a world in rebellion to Jesus. That hostility is not limited to persecution, like John’s exile, but is seen in Revelation as powerful forces in the guise of empire, idolatry, economic pressure, cultural seduction of the church, and violence, to name a few. Christians around the world are experiencing heat for their faith. We may not experience the loss of freedoms the same way, but we do experience the pressure to compromise our allegiance to Jesus.

            That’s one perspective. But the other perspective comes with a loud voice. On Sunday, while worshiping, John says, “I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…” Here’s a voice you can’t ignore. Here’s a message for the seven churches. Remember, seven represents totality, so the message is for the whole church. And the message is this: While the world looks like it’s on fire, Jesus is in control. Not the emperor. Not your opponents. Jesus!

            Darrell Johnson commented on this, “How does Jesus respond? He lifts the cover; he pulls back the curtain. Jesus responds with a revelation; with an apocalypse; with an unveiling of the unseen reality of the present. God responds by giving John a powerful vision of who Jesus is.” 

            So, what does Jesus reveal? 

 

4. King Jesus Stands Among His Churches (12-20)

 

What is Jesus doing? Sitting on a throne in heaven? Ruling from another dimension? 

            Watch for this as you read Revelation: John hears and then he sees. In v. 10 he heard a voice and then he turns to see the person speaking in vv. 12-16 (read). What he saw was a man of unusual description. John says he looked “like a son of man” but his hair is white and his eyes are aflame. This is an amazing figure of a man. 

            If you are familiar with the book of Daniel you may recognize the description. In Daniel 7:9 we read of a similar figure but goes by the name “Ancient of Days.” 

“As I looked,
thrones were placed,
    and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
    and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;

    its wheels were burning fire.

This is Yahweh, God Almighty. Then in verses 13-14, Daniel says he saw “one like the son of man. 

“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
    there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
    and was presented before him.14 And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.

In a.most surprising turn, the man comes before the Ancient of Days and is given sovereign power and is worshiped by men. The OT law specifically forbids the worship of anyone but Yahweh, yet this man is given an eternal kingdom and is worshiped. “Son of man” was Jesus’ favorite description of himself during his earthly ministry. We know that this man John sees is Jesus, but the glorified Jesus. “Son of man” connects Jesus to the mysterious figure in Daniel 7 who receives everlasting dominion and an eternal kingdom. 

            John’s vision combines the imagery of Daniel’s Ancient of Days with the figure of the Son of Man. The white hair, the blazing eyes…all point to something astonishing about Jesus. 

 Then Jesus speaks to John and says, “Fear not, I am the first and the last…” Earlier in v. 8, the Lord said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega…” the same expression. And in Isaiah 44:6, Yahweh says, “I am the first and the last; apart from me there is no God.” Yet here is Jesus appearing as Yahweh and declaring his Lordship as first and last. 

            That’s a huge part of the revelatory message. But the really important piece is where John sees Jesus walking. 

Do you see where Jesus is? 

He’s not merely “above” the church.

He’s not just watching the church.

He’s not watching the church from a safe distance.

He’s walking among the lampstands…. the churches.

King Jesus is among his people. He has a message for his people:

First, he says, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died and behold I am alive forevermore…” Whatever you are facing, you don’t have to be afraid. Jesus is the Lord of history and has defeated our enemies. There is nothing to fear.

Second, what comes next. Jesus says to John, “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.” Jesus wants to show us what is really going on in the world. Knowing what he knows will help us to endure patiently while we live in this world. 

Third, Jesus is present with the church. In v. 20, the mystery of the stars and lampstands is revealed: they are the seven churches. Jesus stands in the middle of his church. He walks among us. He has authority over us. We are not alone. The curtain is pulled back and Jesus is present here in our church. 

 

            John was overwhelmed by his vision of the risen Lord. It made him tremble and fall as though dead. Yet Jesus touched him and said, “Fear not.”

That’s why we need the message of Revelation. Not because we need a key to figuring out world events. Not because we want to read the future. We need Revelation because it shows us Jesus as King of Kings. We need this vision of Jesus. When powerful people try to control history, look to this Jesus. When following Jesus gets hard, remember this Jesus. When you think the church has been forgotten, remember who is walking among the lampstands. 

You may have avoided this book as you read the Bible. Images of dragons and beasts and mysterious pictures has left you shaking your head. Why read this book?

            Because it is for you. It is a book written for the follower of Jesus who is struggling to understand why we live in a hostile world. Scot McKnight calls it a prophetic call to follow Jesus.

 

 

                        AMEN

 

Praying Without Losing Heart - Luke 18:1-17

 

Air Canada rescheduled one of our flights this summer. I did not like it one bit. Our Alaskan tour ended in Anchorage with a stay at a nice hotel. Then our luggage would be taken from that hotel to the airport and we’d fly home. Air Canada had other ideas. Inexplicably, AC delayed our flight one day which meant we had to book another room at a different hotel. One issue I had was the exorbitant cost of the hotel. The second was there was nothing to do in Anchorage to pass the time. 

            When we came home, I decided to rectify this injustice. My travel agent suggested contacting Air Canada and submitting a credit request. It was a “hail Mary” but I submitted the receipt from the hotel and the justification for reimbursement. Then I waited. I had little hope of a reply. But a few weeks later, I did get a reply. Denied. Insufficient cause. 

            What if I were unsatisfied with that result? What if I continued my campaign for reimbursement? What if I pestered, called, emailed, and refused to give up? Would they have relented and said, “Let’s just get this guy off our backs”? Perhaps. I’m not that person. On the other hand, what if I knew the vice president of operations at Air Canada as a personal friend? Why wouldn’t I call him first? 

            I don’t know people like that. But I do know the God who created all things and holds the universe in his hands. And I assume you do too. And we have access to our heavenly Father night and day. He knows us. He cares for us. He has the power and wisdom to help us in all our problems. If that is true, why do I sometimes struggle to pray? Why do I not go immediately to God with all our concerns? 

 

Why Would We Lose Heart? (1)

 

Luke’s comment on Jesus’ parable addresses this question of prayer. He explains that Jesus told this parable to his audience, “that they ought always to pray and not lose heart,” (1b).

            Why would we lose heart in praying? There are a number of reasons we could become discouraged in prayer. I once said that “prayer was hard work” in a sermon. One lady was incensed that I even called prayer “work.” She was already struggling with her prayers. But here are some common ones we all feel:

·      We may feel that God doesn’t act. Prayers seem to go unanswered, so we quit.

·      We don’t understand the delay. We live in an instant society where we are used to getting answers right away.

·      We begin to wonder whether praying makes a difference. Then we look for other solutions to our problems. Human solutions.

·      We get tired of asking and asking again. 

·      We soon wonder if God is even listening. Does he care? 

·      And sometimes we wonder if there are any consequences to NOT praying. Everything goes on as it always does. 

So, Jesus tells a story is both an encouragement and a warning regarding prayer. Jesus recognizes that we will get weary in our prayers, but he says, “Don’t give up!” Why do we lose heart?

 

Our Misconceptions about God (2-5)

 

Because we can misunderstand God. Here’s the story: There’s a judge and a widow and a problem. Let’s look at the judge. 

            Judges in those days were chosen for their status in the community. Either they were respected and elite, or they purchased their position. It was a lucrative opportunity. Jesus says this man lacked two essential qualities for administering justice: “he neither feared God nor respected man.” And in v. 4 he brags about it. He didn’t listen to God’s Word, and he didn’t care about people. How do you get justice from this guy?

            You have to erase the modern image of the courtroom from your mind. Picture instead this judge sitting in the gate of the city where passersby would stop for counsel and a ruling. You could even imagine this judge walking the streets and being assailed by crowds of people. Everybody is talking at once and raising their voices over the others to be heard. What gets the judge’s attention? Money. Bribes. If you have money, the judge will rule in your favor. He doesn’t care about the people or their problems. All he cares about is filling his pockets.

            Here comes the widow. She has no money. Widows were often destitute. God has a special place for widows and orphans in his heart because they are the “least of these.” They are taken advantage of and left penniless. We don’t know what happened to this widow. Jesus simply tells us that she had been wronged and needed justice.

            This widow is relentless and pesters the judge constantly. She’s in his face. In the morning she comes to him. In the afternoon she finds him. In the evening she reminds him of her situation. The next day it starts over again. She has no choice but to harangue the judge if she’s going to eat and live. 

            Finally, the judge says, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming,” (4-5). Notice in v. 3 she “kept coming” and in v. 5 “her continual coming.” She is persistent. Note also that the judge is afraid of being physically assaulted by this widow. The term “beat me down” is a boxing term. It is likely metaphorical, but it shows how relentless she is in her pursuit of an answer.

            Some say this is how we should pray. That this is a template for praying and getting an answer from God. Please don’t misunderstand this parable. What Jesus is saying is clear: GOD. IS. NOT. LIKE. THE. JUDGE. We know this because Jesus says, “And will not God give justice to the elect, who cry to hm day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily,” (7-8a). He is not like the judge. You don’t have to wonder if God cares about you and your troubles. You don’t have to wonder if God hears you. He does. You don’t need to wonder if he loves you.

 

The Posture of Prayer

 

We also lose heart because we come to prayer with the wrong posture. In the three stories of Luke 18:1-17, we see a common thread regarding the person who prays to God. 

            The widow has so much going against her. She is a woman in a society that demeans the value of women. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus chooses her as the center of his story. But like the widow, we are in need. We relate to her condition. We often have no resources; no plan; no strength. In truth, we are self-reliant until that one phone call shatters your image of perfect health. Then we are as needy as the widow. And we run out of faith. We struggle to pray. 

            Jesus asks, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (8b). God’s faithfulness is consistent. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Ours? Not so much. But like the widow, we are needy and waiting. 

            Depending on the day, we may come to God like the Pharisee in the second parable. Confident and assured of our status before God. “I’m doing all the right things. Why wouldn’t God answer me?” Do you compare yourself with others who don’t do those righteous things? Does it give you the right to be heard by God? But the focus of this story, Jesus tells us, is the tax collector. Like the widow, he is of the lowest status among decent people. He is caught up in the pursuit of his own gain and a traitor to his people. And he reminds us that it is not the eloquence of our many words that gets God’s attention, but the simple, crude, honest cry, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!”

            Like the widow and the tax collector, Jesus emphasizes the child, another character with no leverage in society. Children had no pull in those days. Yet Jesus tells his listeners, “…whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it,” (17). How does a child receive a gift? With awe and wonder; with joy and excitement; with a willing heart. 

            What is Jesus saying about the posture of prayer, then? That we come needy, like the widow; that we come humbly, like the tax collector; that we come with empty hands like the child, ready to receive. 

            The widow says: “Give me justice.”

            The tax collector says: “Give me mercy.”

            The child says: “Give me whatever you want to give.”

The posture is the same: Utter dependence on the love of God.

 

The Need for Prayer (1, 8)

 

With this posture, Jesus encourages us to keep praying even when the answer doesn’t come. Why do we lose heart in prayer? Because we can forget why we need to keep praying. 

            We pray because we believe that the One who knows what we need is able to give it. And the one who seeks the answer must also be willing to receive it. 

            The question is not: Is God like the unjust judge? The question is rather, “What will we do when it seems to us that God is like the unjust judge?” Will we give up or continue to pray? (Ray Pritchard)

             From the beginning of this parable, Jesus acknowledged a condition that is familiar to all of us. Jesus told this story “…that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” We do, don’t we? We don’t get an answer to our prayers, and we stop praying. 

            What Jesus wants us to understand is that our need and the delayed answers aren’t the problem. The real problem is that we forget who God is. We forget that God is good. We forget that God loves us and sent his Son Jesus to us. We forget that if he can do that and save us from our sins, what can’t he do? And if we remember those things about God and that he is always ready to hear us, it doesn’t lead to prayerlessness but to persistence in prayer. 

            Someone said, “Persistent prayer doesn’t change God, but it changes us.” We don’t know the whole story God is writing. We only see our little piece of it. There are so many working parts that are beyond our finite wisdom. Remember the movie, Bruce Almighty? Bruce is given God-like powers to solve his own problems and later, the problems of the world. He is given the responsibility to answer all the prayers everyone is praying in the world. Frustrated with reading all the prayers (on his computer?) Bruce finally just says “yes” to all the prayers. And the results are catastrophic. 

            Why does God delay certain answers? We don’t know. It’s above our paygrade. But we are told to persist in prayer because God hears us, God cares for us, and God will give us what is just. And persistence in prayer does something to us as well:

·      It purifies our motives.

·      It forces us to confront our helplessness.

·      It sifts deep-seated desires from fleeting whims.

·      It makes us ready to receive God’s answer.

·      It allows God to receive the glory because he is the One doing it.

Brothers and sisters, we need to pray.

 

What are you praying for?

            I know that I will never be the man of prayer that George Muller was, but his persistence in prayer is a model for us. If you don’t know Muller, please look him up. Near the end of his life, he confided to a friend that he had been praying for two men to come to Christ for over 50 years. When the friend wondered why he continued to pray, Muller replied that if God had given such a burden, surely, it was because he intended to save those two men. One man did come to Christ before Muller died, and the other came to Christ shortly after his death. 

            Are you praying for someone to come to Christ in faith? Are you praying for your marriage? Are you praying for healing? Are you praying for guidance for your future? Do you want more of Jesus? 

            I want you to know that God is not like the unjust judge. We don’t need to pester him as if he’s forgotten our plight. We don’t need to pound on heaven’s door as if it were locked to us. 

            Remember how I had to wait for an answer from Air Canada? When we pray, we aren’t sending a request into some corporate black hole. We are coming before our Father. But if there seems to be a delay, God invites us to keep seeking him, keep asking, and keep persisting in prayer.

 

AMEN