The Power of Persistence: Demanding Justice and Never Giving Up

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Importance of Speaking Up for Justice
3. The Dilemma of Being Nice
4. Jesus: Kind, Compassionate, and Unbending
5. The Gospel of Nice vs the Gospel of Justice
6. The Story of the Unjust Judge and Persistent Widow
7. The Power of Persistence and Nagging
8. Widows as Prophetic Examples
9. Following the Example of Representative Elijah Cummings
10. Are We More Like the Widow or the Unjust Judge?
11. The Danger of Complacency
12. Shaking off Complacency and Demanding Justice
13. God's Promise to Those Who Stand for Justice

The Power of Persistence and Nagging

In our society, we are often conditioned to value being nice over anything else. We are taught to avoid causing trouble, to go with the flow, and to keep our composure even in the face of injustice. But is being nice really the highest calling of a Christian? Is it what Jesus exemplified in his life and teachings?

Jesus wasn't always nice, but he was kind, compassionate, and unwavering when it came to standing up for truth and justice. He didn't shy away from confrontations or from challenging the status quo. And he paid the ultimate price for his unwavering dedication to justice.

One of the stories that Jesus shared to emphasize the importance of persistence and nagging was the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. In this story, a widow seeks justice from an unjust judge who initially ignores her plea. But the widow persists, pestering the judge until he ultimately gives in to her demands.

The parable of the persistent widow challenges us to avoid the route of being nice and instead encourages us to advocate for justice with persistence and determination. It reminds us that seeking justice is a messy and frustrating process, but we are called to persevere and not lose heart.

In Jesus's time, widows held little status, power, or privilege. They had no voice in the public sphere, and yet, Jesus portrays widows as prophetic figures. They are models of faithfulness and active engagement with the world. They are not merely vulnerable but also resilient, generous, and persistent.

Representative Elijah Cummings was a politician who exemplified the characteristics of the persistent widow. He held great power as a representative but never forgot his roots and the voices of the most vulnerable in his district. He passionately advocated for justice, even if it meant being persistent, annoying, and in the face of those in power.

As followers of Jesus, we shouldn't be getting our cues from the most powerful in the room, but rather from the most vulnerable and marginalized. Jesus calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed and pushed to the margins of society. We must be willing to disrupt, challenge, and confront the injustices we see around us.

It is easy to become complacent in the face of injustice, especially when we are bombarded with stories of pain and suffering on a daily basis. But the parable of the persistent widow reminds us that we cannot afford to become accustomed to unjust conditions.

God hears and honors our perseverance for justice. We are not alone in our pursuit of a just society. God's Spirit spurs us to be outspoken and relentless in our demands for justice. And when we stand with the oppressed, we stand alongside a God who tirelessly works for justice.

So, let us be like the persistent widow, refusing to accept the status quo, and demanding justice with persistence and nagging. Let us disrupt, challenge, and confront the powers that be, knowing that God is with us in our pursuit of justice.