[:en]The Parable of the Persistent Widow (vs. 1-8)
A widow came to a judge in a certain city for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her but this woman kept on coming back. Due to her persistent coming, the judge granted her request and gave her justice.
Jesus was teaching this parable for us to persist in prayer and never give up. Keep you request constantly before the Lord day by day believing that He will certainly give you an answer in His time. If godless judge responded to constant pressure, how much more will a great and loving God respond to us. He loves us and He will hear our cries. As we persist in prayer, we will grow in character, faith and hope.
Let prayer be the natural habit of your life. Be in constant loving communication of the Father, petitioning Him for His blessings. We have a Savior who is the Advocate (1 John 2:1), the High Priest (Heb. 2:17), who constantly responds us before the throne of God. We also have the Holy Spirit who always assists us in prayer (Rom. 8:26-27)
The Parable of the Pharisee and The Tax Collector (vs. 9-14)
Temple was the center of worship and prayer. When the Pharisee went to pray, he announced how self-righteous he was by comparing himself with other men. But the tax collector stood at a distance, beat his breast, confessed his sins and asked for God’s mercy. Between the two, the tax collector was justified before God. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humble himself will be exalted” (v. 14)
Jesus is teaching us about our prayer attitude. He hates self-righteous religion. He loves humble repentance. He sees our hearts and tells us that good works cannot earn salvation.
Jesus Blesses the Children (vs. 15-17)
The disciples rebuked the people who brought babies to Jesus. But Jesus called the children to Him and said: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (vs. 16-17)
Jesus loves the little children and he welcomes them because little children have the kind of faith and trust needed to enter God’s kingdom. If you have children, bring them to know Christ. When we approach God, we should have a childlike attitude of acceptance, faith and trust.
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