St. Luke 18:1-8 Dearly beloved,
“Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off”(Psalm 138:6). The church is the bride who is in waiting for the groom. She readies herself and waits for the time when the wedding bells toll in heaven. The bride will walk through the gates of heaven and gaze upon Christ, her groom and savior. But now she waits. The church must ready herself. In the meantime, she ponders the groom. The church bides her time by pondering the gospels. For now, she meditates on the words and acts of Jesus. Concerning this divine pondering, the gospel for today is a parable urging the church to pray. Prayer is how the church lives while she waits for the wedding liturgy in heaven. St. Paul says to “pray without ceasing”(1Thess. 5:17). Paul also tells Timothy that he wants men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Tim. 2:8). This prescribed behavior is for the whole church, not just Timothy. Paul is talking the Divine Service. Prayer is for the church because the church is the gathering of the faithful, the saints, those who believe in Jesus. Not only do the saints believe in Jesus, but they look to Him for everything. Faith is a trust. It is a looking outside of oneself and understanding that the Lord is faithful and good. This hints at the great irony of the parable. The unjust judge cares for no one but himself. He does not even care for God. But the widow has been wronged in some way and she persists with this judge to rectify her situation. The Greek text says that this woman bothers him to the point that she is punching him to the point that his face is black and blue, which is to suggest that she will ruin his reputation if he doesn’t help her. In other words, the widow is persistent. Jesus is saying that this judge who cares for no one helps her by her steadfastness. If this is the case with worldly scoundrels, then how much more will our holy Lord be willing to hear our prayers. The holy gospel is encouraging us to pray and to believe. As all patterns for the church are set by Christ’s own example and life, so we see it with prayer. The gospel narrative teaches the church that Jesus Himself prayed in the Garden of Gethesmane just before His betrayal. Jesus wasn’t praying for a casserole dinner. He was praying for help....spiritual help. He was asking the heavenly Father to attend to Him. In like manner, Jesus told Peter, James, and John to wait a little distance off while Jesus prayed. Jesus told them that in that hour it was critical that they pray. Jesus said “Pray that you may not enter into temptation”(St. Luke 22:46). Likewise, Jesus told Peter earlier that “Satan had desired to sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail....” These prayers concern faith and protection from the Devil. Even Jesus in Gethsemane sweats blood amidst His turmoil for what all is about to take place. Therefore, we ought to pray for help, faith, and protection from Satan. The church must pray for faith and protection because, while she rests in the arms of Jesus, faith is not complete nor perfect. We still carry with us the sinful flesh. The church also contends with the world. This is why the apostles respond to Christ’s discussion of repentance and forgiveness in chapter 17 by saying, “Lord, increase our faith”(St. Luke 17:5). In St. Mark’s gospel, there is the account of the boy who is healed of demon possession by Jesus. Do you remember how the father responds? “I believe. Help my unbelief”(St. Mark 9:24). It is OK to admit that we do not walk around with a perfect faith in Christ. If we did, we would be in heaven already. For now, we press onward. This is why the psalmist remarks “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off”(Psalm 138:6). The lowly, the humble and meek, know that faith is not perfect nor complete. The lowly must wrestle with faith and disbelief. The lowly know they wrestle with sin and guilt. Conversely, the proud do not pray, for they see no need to. They regard neither God nor their sins. This is why Martin Luther makes the brave statement that “if anyone does not seek or desire the Lord’s Supper at the very least four times a year, it is to be feared that he despises the sacrament and is not Christian, just as no one is a Christian who does not believe or hear the gospel”(Luther’s Small Catechism, pg. 250, 1991 ed.). Luther speaks this way about the sacrament and listening to the gospel, because these means of grace are God’s answer to the church’s prayer. It is in the Divine Service that Jesus aids us and protects us from temptation. It is in the continual hearing of the gospel and the faithful reception of the sacrament that the plans of Satan are hindered and crushed. Faithfully listening to the gospel and meditating on Christ’s words and acts is the antidote to sin. The gospel is the answer to the father’s cry “I believe. Help my unbelief.” So, the church presses on. She lives out her existence on this earth by listening to preaching, listening to the pastor teach on the Holy Scriptures, confessing sins, and looking to the blessed sacrament in order to be strengthened in receiving this sacrament.....and the church prays. The ongoing dialogue between God and His church continues. Our gaze turns heavenward for forgiveness, strength and protection, and God responds with the pastor giving the gifts of word and sacrament. Our prayers are continual and so is God’s love and forgiveness from the cross as He nurtures His bride and cares for us, as He descends into our world and lives to give us His peace. Amen. -- Rev. Chad Kendall Trinity Lutheran Church Lowell, Indiana www.trinitylowell.org
