Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” ~ Luke 18:1-8
We all know the slogan by now: No justice. No Peace. For some, it is a rallying cry. For others it is a point of contention at best, and a call to arms at worst.
The judge in this parable from Jesus certainly found this to be true. In the end, he gave this woman justice simply for his own peace of mind: not because it was right, not because he feared God.
Simply to get her off his back.
Maybe you wonder why so many keep taking to the streets when yet another black or brown person is killed by the police. Maybe you are tired of seeing it in the news or of hearing about it. Maybe you are tired of being told that Black Lives Matter when you want to believe that All Lives Matter.
But take it from this woman. Justice isn't justice for all until it is justice for those who are not getting justice. And those who don't feel justice is being served to them or their community, will, like this woman, be persistent until they achieve it: hoping like this woman that the rest of us will eventually give in for our own peace of mind.
Jesus, however, reminds them and reminds us, that God's justice already has them in a firm and loving grasp. God's justice is already present.
When will the rest of us catch up?
Holy God, move me toward justice, mercy, and humility in all my dealings with your people. Amen