A. In Luke 18:1-14, two parables are given that have different lessons but similar presentations.

1. Both parables begin with a statement indicating the purpose of the parable.

2. Both parables end with an application of the parable given by the Lord Jesus.

B. Let us consider the parable of the persistent widow and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax-gatherer.

II. THE PARABLE OF THE WOMAN AND THE JUDGE

A. The purpose of the parable of the persistent widow is given in the introduction to the parable (Luke 18:1).

1. This parable was given to Christ's disciples (see Luke 17:22), and its purpose was "to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart."

2. This is the same purpose for Christ's parable of the persistent friend in Luke 11:5-10. For this reason, we will make some comparisons between these two parables.

B. The parable describes a judge's reaction to the persistent widow (Luke 18:2-5).

1. The judge in this parable is not an honorable character. He "did not fear God and did not respect man."

2. The widow requested of the judge, "Give me legal protection from my opponent."

a. As a widow, she likely had no other recourse for protection.

i. Evil men often preyed on widows unjustly because they were defenseless and vulnerable. If governing authorities would not give legal protection to such widows, then they would be robbed and defrauded.

ii. God had given commandments in the Law of Moses for the protection of widows, but the Jews had often broken those commandments (Ex. 22:22-24; Deut. 24:17-21; Isa. 1:17, 23; 10:1-2).

b. Initially, the unrighteous judge was unwilling to do his duty toward the widow. He had no regard for God's law or for the widow's wellbeing.

3. The judge eventually gave into the widow's request only because she was persistent.

a. Notice the judge's reasoning: "Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out."

b. The persistence of the widow teaches the lesson here. If she had not continually and repeatedly asked the judge for protection, then she would not have received it.

c. This is the same lesson given in the parable of the persistent friend (Luke 11:5-10). In that parable, the friend received his request only "because of his persistence."

C. Consider the application given by the Lord Jesus (Luke 18:6-8).

1. Obviously, this parable is not intended to compare the character of God to the character of this judge. Instead, the point is that if an unrighteous judge will respond positively to persistent requests, then God will respond all the more positively to persistent prayer.

2. In the parable of the persistent friend (Luke 11:5-10), a similar application is made by Jesus. He said, "And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened."

3. Notice that Jesus asks two questions in His application of the parable of the persistent widow.

a. The first is, "Now shall not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?" Jesus answers this question Himself, saying, "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly."

b. The second is, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Jesus does not answer this question, for it is our responsibility to answer it.

c. Will we have faith like the persistent widow to continue our prayerful requests of God, believing that Christ will come and that God will keep His promises? If He comes today, will He find us faithfully praying?

III. THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX-GATHERER

A. The purpose of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax-gather is evident from the audience who first received it (Luke 18:9).

1. Jesus "told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt."

2. By definition, the original hearers of this parable were self-righteous. Their trust in themselves was misplaced, and this parable was designed by Christ to expose their error.

B. The parable describes two very different men who offered two very different prayers (Luke 18:10-13).

1. Notice the Pharisee and his prayer.

a. The Pharisee (meaning "separated one") was a member of an elite party of the Jews.

i. This party emphasized outward forms of piety, such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving according to their own oral traditions. Members of this party were well-respected in Jewish society.

ii. The Pharisees were frequently the targets of Christ's teachings just as He was frequently the target of their attacks. He often rebuked their hypocritical ways (Matt. 5:20; 15:1-20; 23:1-36).

b. The Pharisee's prayer was an expression of praise for his own works arrogantly disguised as a statement of thanksgiving to God. He made no acknowledgement of his own sins and no appeal for God's forgiveness.

2. Notice the tax-gatherer and his prayer.

a. Tax-gatherers were considered to be in the lowest class of Jewish society.

i. Tax-gatherers (publicans) were men who contracted with the Roman government to obtain the authority to exact taxes from the Jewish people. They often abused this authority and collected more than the Romans required, keeping the difference for themselves.

ii. Most Jews considered all tax-gatherers to be thieves, traitors, and sinners. They had no respect among the Jews.

b. The tax-gatherer's prayer was a desperate plea for God's mercy. He would not even lift his eyes toward heaven, for he knew he was an unworthy sinner.

C. The scene described by Jesus was quite typical, but the application given by the Lord Jesus must have been very surprising for His self-righteous listeners (Luke 18:14).

1. The Pharisees were known for such prayers. Jesus said that "they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men" (Matt. 6:5).

2. Tax-gatherers were known to be sinners, so it was fitting that the tax-gatherer's prayer would be for mercy and his attitude would be contrite.

3. The lesson of the parable is evident in the outcome of these prayers, for Jesus said, "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

a. This lesson was frequently taught by Jesus (Matt. 23:12; Luke 14:11), for pride and self-righteousness are common faults in man.

b. Whether expressed in prayer to God, in words to men, or in deeds, humility should characterize everything we do.

i. James 4:10 -- Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

ii. 1Peter 5:5-7 -- You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

IV. CONCLUSION

A. These two parables and their lessons are quite different, but they both address the attitude of man toward God -- one in terms of persistent faith and one in terms of humility.

B. May we all have such faith to be persistent in prayer and such humility that we may be exalted by God in due time.