"Justice"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.
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Let’s get right down to it:
Luke was written after Jesus had ascended into Heaven – promising to return. But he didn’t return right away. It seemed that the people were in a hopeless, forsaken, voiceless situation. They were waiting, but they were discouraged. These words of Jesus to "not lose heart" encouraged them to continue praying. God had not forgotten them.
Today’s Bible reading from Luke 18:1-8 is not about:
Nagging:
God doesn’t do stuff because we nag. God does stuff because God does stuff. Jesus instructed the people to pray and not lose heart. Jesus also taught the people how to pray, ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done . . .’ Our continual prayers are to be for God’s will – not ours.
Representations:
This widow – this one who was forsaken – this one with no voice in society– used her voice relentlessly to call on an unjust judge to act for justice. In Greek the word for widow, chera, gives the idea of someone lacking or deficient – no husband, no status. In Hebrew, the word for widow, Almanah, means desolate and forsaken. Its root, Alam, means silent. A widow was a silent one – by name and by societal status. But this silent one used her voice relentlessly to call on an unjust judge to act for justice. The judge ended up giving her justice only because she "wore him out" or literally "gave him a black eye" in the sense that his reputation as a judge was in danger – so he gave her what she wanted. Oh that we would be so bold as we seek justice in our world.
This widow got justice from the unjust judge. But God isn’t unjust. Why would the readers of Luke need to hear that God will grant justice to them? Whom does the judge represent, if not God?
Let’s get back to that in a moment.
"Chosen ones":
What about the "chosen ones" from verse 6?
The question of "election" is deep and debated. We’re not going to figure it out today. But let me just offer a thought.
And not matter what "chosen ones" means – it is about something God is in charge of – and something we are not in charge of.
Back to representations:
And then there’s this last line. "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith here on earth?"
All of a sudden – I go from identifying with the widow – who calls out for justice, and I start identifying with this unjust judge. I live a comfortable life while the forsaken and the voiceless in the world cry out for justice. And of course, I pray. But I think there’s more of a challenge in this last verse:
So today’s Bible reading is about:
Earlier this week I had a rhythm going in my head. Actually, it was more free-form jazz without an easily identifiable rhythm. But as this free-form jazz "rhythm" stayed in my head, I got to feeling poetic. Today I’d like to end with a piece of beat poetry that hopefully provides all of us with a challenge to Pray. and Act. for Justice.
for Justice
Close with prayer
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