The Unjust Judge

In Luke ch18, there is the story known as the parable of the unjust judge. (A parable is a story that illustrates a point.) This parable concerns a widow who pleaded for a judge to recognize her claim. According to the parable, the judge was ‘callous’ (ie feeling no pity or sympathy) and the parable may have been based on a well-recognized local character (and, of course, there may be judges like him in the congregations today). The widow’s persistence overcame him and he finally complied with her request. This judge had no fear for God and no respect for man (Luke 18:1-15). When we think of the unjust judge, it is of someone who is unfair in his judgement, one who bullies witnesses and one who tries to get innocent men convicted – just like a free man, Jesus Christ, who was convicted for no legal reason.

Now, we would never accuse God of being like that, would we? Think again. In Revelation we read of some martyrs who are crying out to the Lord: “How long, O Lord, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?” These were Christian martyrs – people who were put to death for their faith, certainly they are included among the saved. I can give a real example of Bro. Faris of Afghanistan who was brutally murdered (beheaded) with a spade by his father-in-law, three days after conversion.

But Jesus spoke this illustration also to some who trusted that they were righteous and who considered the rest as nonentities. Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, “O Lord, I thank you I am not as the other men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and give the tenth of all things I acquire”. But the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward but kept beating his breast, saying, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus here says that the tax collector proved himself more righteous than the Pharisee, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. In this way, ‘A Christian looks at the wise judgement’.

People who think that they are entirely in the right are usually eager for a chance to prove it. However, they may have deceived themselves in thinking they were so righteous. But let us bear in mind that God’s judgement will end the injustice, the suffering and the uncertainty that are part of life in a lawless world. We look forward to the result of this judgement, and we should. The final judgement will include a clear statement as to who is in the right and who is in the wrong. Believing that we will be justified, we are to look forward to that. Everyone will eventually have to acknowledge God’s power, His wisdom and His goodness.

Now, what about those of us who have a less than perfect record? Does any human being in fact have a perfect record? “No-one is righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10). The only way we can look forward to the judgement with assurance is to accept divine grace – grace that covers our past sins, grace that enables us to live a new life in Christ.

Some day the judgement which the widow demanded and which the martyrs cried out for, will take place. When it does take place, we will be asked, ‘What is your claim to be admitted to the kingdom of God?’ The reply, ‘I am trying to cling on to Jesus Christ’. Those who are righteous in their own eyes, and think they are ready for the judgement should be careful about demanding justice. They may get it , but it may not be what they expect. If God judges any human being purely on the basis of his past record, he would have no chance. In view of this, what we all need is mercy.

One of the problems with us human beings is that we tend to be either unjustly merciful or unmercifully just. God blends these two contrasting qualities perfectly. His judging of human beings, whether saints or sinners, is both just and merciful. Let us remember that the delay we find so hard to bear is for our benefit, as well as for the benefit of those who have not yet made decisions. God’s ‘delay’ is designed to develop patience in us. God is even more concerned. He is not like the unjust judge of the parable, who could sit in his fine house and enjoy life without regard to the just claim of the widow. It is not that God needs to be reminded to answer our petitions, but our very persistence in asking, can bring us to the point where God can answer our prayers. The delay may seem hard, but the end is worth it. If we look beyond the delay which we find so distressing, to Christ, we will discover that the delay is easier to bear. God is merciful, slow to anger, abundantly loving, omnipresent and omniscient.

Bro James Kambobe (Kazembe, Zambia)