One of the tangible benefits of reading the Bible is that we discover that God calls people to service in areas they may not have thought possible. People often discover that with God's help they are able to reach deep within themselves and find strength they did not know existed.

Back in the '60s, Bill Withers sang, "Lean on me when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on." For most of us, it is not until we find ourselves unable to carry on that we discover that with God we can carry on and we can excel because in Jesus we have a friend that will carry us when we can no longer carry ourselves.

This chapter of Luke is marked with important transitions. Jesus is embarking on a preaching ministry that will carry him into a variety of settings. The section we are dealing with is one of those teaching gems that Jesus so carefully scatters throughout his ministry. It is followed up later with four very important miracles. But, as always, it is just as important to understand the story that comes before the verses we are dealing with.

The preceding conversation is about the eschatological, or end, times. Jesus is speaking about the coming of the kingdom. He tells them they will need to live life without him, but they must carry on the work of the kingdom, regardless of his absence. The days would come when they would wish for his coming, and Jesus warned them not to be influenced by false stories and rumors.

We all know how easy it is to be led astray. Sometimes out of fear, sometimes out of our own greed, and, occasionally, because we want something to be true, because it will make our lives easier, if only for a moment. It is within this context that our Gospel Lesson for today takes shape.

Later, in this same chapter, come the following helpful words as we continue our journey, "What is impossible for mortals, is possible for God" (18:27).

These eight verses tell about a widow who comes to an unrighteous judge for help against her adversary. Jesus tells the story in just eight verses and so it is fair to assume that there is plenty to the story that we do not know.

We don't know if the widow had money or not. Probably she didn't. So she requested legal help from an unrighteous judge, and she wanted him to give her case favorable consideration without any financial reimbursement at all.

The point of the story is that this woman didn't become discouraged when the judge turned her down. She kept coming back again and again, until finally, the judge just threw up his hands and said, "Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice" (v. 5). Just to get rid of her, I am going to do what she asks me to do. Do you see the end time theme here?

All of us who claim the name, Christian, will be tested. To be a Christian in this world means that there will be times when you will feel like the woman in our lesson for today. You may feel defeated momentarily, but you will not take that defeat as final or authoritative. You will look to the cross, you will remember the promise, and you will go once again in front of the judge and you will demand justice! You will do that because you know that as it said in the preceding verses, Jesus, whether standing in front of you, or living within you, is present and can be counted upon.

The parable teaches us, and indeed urges us, not to lose faith in God if God seems to delay in the execution of justice. The parable forces us to ask ourselves the question, "When the end comes, will all of humankind have lost heart?"

In our linear world, we sometimes get caught up in the technology of the here and now. We sometimes succumb to the notion that we have control of the world and control of our lives. But the truth of the matter is that the Bible teaches us that history does not go in circles. The Bible teaches us that time is moving ahead, like it or not. Time is proceeding toward a goal. Not just some random event, not some cosmic happening; no, time is moving toward a goal. That goal has been carefully planned and determined by the sovereign will of God.

The widow in our parable has no visible means of hiring a competent attorney to plead her case. We are so used to seeing high-profile people with high-profile representation. From O. J. to Michael Jackson, we see that wealth can purchase the very best legal minds. Our lesson drives the point home that it is not money, nor who the attorney is — it is who Jesus is that matters!

As was mentioned earlier, this parable is told in the shadow of the closing verses of chapter 17. Within our story this morning, we see the importance of persevering in prayer. The argument is this: If an unrighteous judge will give a fair judgment in the case of a helpless widow in whom he has no interest, how much more will our God answer the unwearied cry for justice from those people who remain true to the faith?

It is important to remember here that the person in our parable is identified as a widow. Remember the "then and there" of our parable. A widow in this time in history was a defenseless human being. They were as a class of people without rights. It is one thing to stand before the judge as a person of privilege, it is quite another to stand there as someone who has no status in the world! Her persistence is our example.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus cautioned his followers not to be misled. No person or group of people will have special, inside information denied to others. The coming of the Son of man is like "lightning." "For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day" (Luke 17:24).

In our world today, there are countless people who are like the widow in this parable. We identify with her because of some of the reasons already mentioned but for other reasons, also.

I imagine that when this parable was being told and retold over the centuries, it took on a different form and shape depending upon the circumstances of those who told it. If your life was easily identified with the life of the widow then it is fair to assume you would start with her. If you know what it feels like to be in a situation where you are without any strength, you are the widow. If you know what it feels like to have to go back again and again into the same ugly situation, then you can walk a mile in her shoes. The fact is that the widow was not going to allow that judge to sleep at night until she was granted justice.

In fact, that widow became a model for the early Christians. She was the perfect example of the need for prayer to be without ceasing. She showed that prayer is not a last resort; it is a daily Christian nutrient. We need it, it makes us strong. Her life is an example of a strong faith lived out as a witness to the world.

It is surely fair to say that for some, the judge was the story, not the widow. It is funny isn't it, how several people can see or hear the same story and come away with different perceptions of that story?

If you are an attorney, you may see this parable in an entirely different light. You may think that the judge was not at all ruthless. One of the primary responsibilities of a judge is to see to the protection of the weakest people in our society. It is the judge's job to lift the burden from the weakest and most vulnerable. I will admit, however, that in this case it would be pretty hard to erase the fact that it seems this judge has a well-earned reputation of being corrupt. It seems more honest to admit that the only way to reach this judge was by the insistence of this widow not being denied.

Her example helps us to understand how important it is to set goals and not be defeated at the first sign that things may not go as easily as we may have hoped. One of the clear lessons from the parable is that when you are making plans, especially plans for God's kingdom, you need to set realistic goals.

I like a story that is told about Henry Kissinger. One of his aides came with a report that Kissinger had requested on a conflict in Africa. He laid the report on Kissinger's desk.

Kissinger didn't pick up the report, but instead, looked up at his aide and asked, "Is this your best effort?" The man answered, "Well, sir, there are some other things that I wanted to check out, but there wasn't enough time."

So Kissinger said, "Take it back, rework it, and then bring it back to me."

The man took it back and, for two weeks, labored over the report. Finally, he brought it back and gave it to Henry Kissinger. Once again, without looking at the report, Kissinger asked, "Does this represent your best effort?"

The man thought for a moment and said, "Well, some things aren't too well documented. I could spend some more time in research." Kissinger said, "Take it back, work it over, and bring it back when it represents your best effort."

A week later, after working almost day and night, the aide brought in his report and laid it on the desk. For the third time, without looking at the report, Kissinger asked, "Does this represent your best effort?"

"Yes, sir," said his aide, "it represents my best effort." Kissinger replied, "That is all I ever wanted. I will be pleased to read your report."

The actions of the widow in our parable say to the judge and to anyone who will listen that I am giving all that I have here and I can do no less. I believe that is all that God asks of any of us. Do your best. Try your hardest. God wants the very best for all of God's children and expects the very best in return. There is the wonderful saying, and I do not know who said it, but it is so appropriate, "God does not make junk!" You and I are made for a purpose and to not stand up and do the very best with what we have is simply not acceptable to God.

Bruce Larson tells about an elder in his church who had an incredible faith. He said that this elder would sit in church board meetings and listen to all the plans and dreams and proposals presented. Then he would ask questions.

After he was satisfied, he would always say the same thing. He would say, "Why not? If it is for Christ and his kingdom, why not?" In fact, his words were so predictable that some of the board decided to see how far they could go and still get the same response.

They came up with a lavish proposal, an idea that seemed totally ridiculous. There was no way in the world that they could ever raise enough money. No way that they could ever work hard enough to see this proposal accomplished in the church.

But, they presented it, and this elder listened. He asked his questions, and when they were through, he said, "Why not? If it is for Christ and his kingdom, why not? If we are doing this for Christ, and God is a part of it, why not?"

If it is for Christ and his kingdom, why not?

You know that every church needs someone like the elder in our story. Every church needs someone who is willing to stand before the judge and not back down because it seems he or she has insufficient funds to do the job. We need people who are not afraid to trust in God, even and especially when it seems fruitless to do so.

The two characters in our parable belong together. They represent persistence in prayer and confidence that prayer will be answered. There is no good reason for anyone here this morning to pray without at least an inkling that the prayer will be answered. Otherwise, our petitions to God fall on deaf ears and our lives are worthless and have no value in God's sight.

The fact is that anything worth achieving will take a certain amount of sacrifice. The attaining of lofty goals always requires emptying yourself of yourself. Prayer, that act of standing before the judge and airing your petition, is a very human form of humility. It is a good practice because it places us in a position of understanding that we must from time to time rely on something and someone other than ourselves.

Jesus is saying, "Christianity is all about selling it all, giving it away, coming empty to Christ, and then letting him fill us with himself. Before we can ever realize the blessings that Jesus is so anxious to give, that must take place in our lives."

The first lesson for us to learn today is that if we are really going to do things for Christ, set lofty goals. "If God is our partner, why not?"

The second lesson is about commitment — commitment of ourselves and commitment of all the material things that God has given to each of us.

James Byrnes, who was Secretary of State under FDR, said that the difference between successful people and average people can be summed up in three words. Here are the three words, "and then some." He said, "Average people do what is expected. Successful people do what is expected, and then some." Our widow did what was expected, and then some.

Most people are perfectly happy to attend Sunday worship, have some time at fellowship, and then go home. But our widow reminds us that we should not be happy to come to worship and then fellowship and then go home. No, we should demand more of ourselves and of our church.

Christians come to church. Successful Christians, who are successfully living the Christian life, come to church, and then some.

Average Christians give. Successful Christians give, and then some. Average Christians pray and read their Bibles. But successful Christians read and pray, and then some.

The widow only asked for justice and that is what God grants. The parable this morning is not telling us that God is some sort of super discount store that will give us whatever we ask as long as we are as vigilant as the widow before the judge. Rather, the lesson this day for you to take with you is that if what you seek is within God's character, you will persevere over all the evil judges in the world. But, if our prayer is not based on our life-long commitment to Jesus Christ, then we can expect things not to go well in court.

Once again, let me say that God wants some "and then some" Christians who are willing to sell out to God no matter what the cost.

Amen.