Persisting for Justice: Challenging the Status Quo for a More Just World

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Power of Persistence
   • The Influence of Childhood
   • The Gospel of Niceness
   • Jesus: Kind and Unbending
   • The Parable of the Unjust Judge and Persistent Widow
3. Widows in Society
   • Vulnerable Yet Prophetic
   • Models of Faithful Generosity
   • Widows as Examples for Christians
4. The Call to Persist
   • Losing Face and Fear of Speaking Up
   • Following Jesus is Countercultural
   • Standing in Solidarity with the Marginalized
5. The Temptation of Silence
   • Becoming Accustomed to Unjust Conditions
   • Background Noise of Injustice
   • Shaking Ourselves from Complacency
6. Demanding Justice
   • Pestering, Disturbing, and Speaking Up
   • The Power of God's Word
   • God's Promise to Those Who Persist
7. Conclusion

The Power of Persistence

In a culture that values niceness over everything else, the concept of persistence can often be misunderstood or even discouraged. We are taught to be polite, compliant, and meek, and to avoid causing trouble or making demands. However, when we look at the life and teachings of Jesus, we see a different picture. Jesus was kind and compassionate, but he was also unbending and unflinching when it came to standing up for truth and justice, even if it cost him his life.

In the parable of the unjust judge and persistent widow, Jesus presents a powerful example of the importance of persistence. The widow, who lacked status and power in society, pesters and nags the unjust judge until he eventually grants her the justice she demands. Jesus uses this story to encourage his disciples to avoid simply asking nicely and waiting for results, but rather to advocate for justice with determination and perseverance.

Widows in Society

In Jesus's time, widows were considered vulnerable and marginalized. They had no voice in the public sphere and were often overlooked or ignored. However, Luke's Gospel also portrays widows as prophetic figures who can show us how to faithfully live as God's people. Widows like the persistent widow in the parable and others mentioned in Luke, such as Anna and the widow who gave her last coin, demonstrate not only vulnerability but also faithfulness and generosity.

These widows challenge us to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed and marginalized in our society. They remind us that following Jesus means looking to the most vulnerable and marginalized for guidance and inspiration, rather than seeking the approval of the powerful. By standing with those who suffer and advocating for justice, we embody the true spirit of Christianity.

The Call to Persist

In a world where the pursuit of status and privilege often takes precedence, it is easy to lose sight of our responsibility to speak up for justice. Many of us worry about saving face, being liked, or maintaining our position within society. However, following Jesus requires us to go against the grain, to resist the temptation to remain passive, and to confront the powers and principalities that perpetuate injustice.

Representative Elijah Cummings, whose recent passing we mourn, serves as an example of someone who was willing to persist and speak up for justice, even in the face of adversity. He understood that the pursuit of justice requires pain, passion, and purpose. As followers of Jesus, we are called to intimately know the pain of those who suffer, to be passionate about creating justice for all, and to work tirelessly towards that purpose.

The Temptation of Silence

One of the greatest challenges we face in advocating for justice is the tendency to become complacent to the injustices around us. Over time, what once shocked us becomes normalized, and we may become numb to the cries of those who suffer. We may care, but there are so many voices crying out that we have become accustomed to the trauma and pain in the world. This normalization hinders our ability to recognize and address the urgent need for justice.

In order to break free from this complacency, we need to be shaken and disturbed. The parable of the persistent widow serves as a reminder that we must be willing to disrupt, challenge, and confront the status quo. We must refuse to accept injustice as the way of things and strive to create change. This disruption begins with listening to the voices of the marginalized and oppressed, allowing ourselves to be moved to action.

Demanding Justice

To demand justice is to persistently challenge the unjust systems and structures that oppress and marginalize. It requires pestering, disturbing, and speaking up again and again, even in the face of adversity. It may not always be easy, and it may come at a cost, but it is a necessary and vital part of our faith.

By persistently advocating for justice, we align ourselves with the spirit of God. Scripture assures us that God hears and honors our cries for justice, and that God is with us in our persistence. We are not alone in this pursuit. We have the power of God's word and the promise that justice will prevail.

Conclusion

While societal norms may encourage us to prioritize niceness and avoid causing trouble, the teachings of Jesus call us to be persistent in our pursuit of justice. We must be willing to challenge the status quo, disrupt complacency, and stand in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed. It is through persistence that we embody the true essence of Christianity and work towards a more just and equitable world.

📌 Highlights:

• The importance of persistence in seeking justice
• Widows as vulnerable yet prophetic figures in society
• Following Jesus as countercultural and revolutionary
• The temptation of becoming complacent to injustice
• Demanding justice through disruption, challenge, and speaking up
• The power of God's word and the promise of justice

FAQ:

Q: What does it mean to be persistent in pursuing justice? A: Being persistent in pursuing justice means consistently challenging and confronting the systems and structures that perpetuate injustice. It involves speaking up, advocating for change, and refusing to accept the status quo.

Q: Why are widows mentioned as examples in the Gospel of Luke? A: Widows in the Gospel of Luke serve as examples of both vulnerability and faithful generosity. They demonstrate the importance of standing with the marginalized and embodying the values of justice and compassion.

Resources:

• Columbia Theological Seminary
• Gospel of Luke