Today’s Reading: Luke 18
The definition of persistence means continuing to do something or carry on in spite of hard times, problems, or people telling you to stop.
In this chapter we have the essential individuals that are in the most need of peace, justice and mercy: the widow, the tax collector, the blind man, and Christ himself. These individuals show an unyielding amount of persistence.
He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
In the beginning of this chapter, the widow is persistent. She’s so persistent that she allows the judge to overturn and get her justice. We do not know how long this widow has been asking for justice. We do know that it’s been such a long time that the judge who does not “ fear God nor respect man “ , finally gives her justice against her enemy because of her insistence. Persistence is continuing on in spite of difficulty and hard times.
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The tax collector is persistent by being humbled every day. He knows his work is hard and difficult, but he also knows God’s purpose in his life. He understands that his profession is hard and challenging daily. He understands that he will be shamed and mocked and despised, but he continues to faithfully ask for forgiveness and for mercy. God gives him justice and mercy through his continuous and persistent cries for himself. Do we have a situation that we are constantly in and can not grasp the full function and purpose God has for us?
As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him.
The blind man when he is informed that Jesus is passing by, he calls him by his family name, son of David. He insistent in his call for Jesus. He continues to push in spite of others telling him to be quiet and to go to the back line. Because of his persistence, he is blessed with his sight again, and he continues to glorify God.
See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”
Christ is persistent in a chapter as he is reveals to his disciples and apostles about his death. He goes into detail about it. This is the third occurrence Luke brings up about his coming death. His persistence is trying to prepare them for the future and the change that will come.
Being persistent can be a good thing. It shows us that we are passionate about something and we are also dedicated to good. But with persistence comes about change. Sometimes change will result in justice, sometimes this results in mercy to us. When we are persistent and acknowledge Christ in our life we can grow in ways that we can’t even expect or imagine.
Be Blessed
You must be logged in to post a comment.