The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Throughout this parable, Jesus encourages his disciples to pray and not become weary or discouraged. In other words, Jesus wanted to give the disciples a reason not to give up or become discouraged in their assigned work. that they should continue to pray in their afflictions. Jesus had given the disciples a grim report of what to expect in the days immediately before his return. A depraved world where the enemy seemed to be taking control. And even though the disciples had no idea how long it would be prior to Jesus’ return, When persecution comes, don’t lose heart, don’t grow weary of keeping the faith and doing the master’s will. Considering what they faced during their lifetime, it would be natural for the disciples to grow tired and discouraged. The disciples all suffered martyrdom, as well as many other trials on the road to their deaths. They must have all presumed that the Messiah's arrival on earth would usher in peace and justice. It would be demoralizing all by itself to think that it wouldn't happen for awhile. Therefore, discouragement would have been easy to experience. However, discouragement is not exclusive to the disciples.