Jesus tells a parable in which the judge neither feared God nor had respect for people. He was an unfit judge. We do not have confidence in him because he will usurp justice for his own means and deal with others out of his lack of compassion. Before him, the widow has a legitimate grievance yet we not know know exactly what she is going after, money or property.
When Jesus spoke His parable widows and orphans were common. When a woman's husband died the estate did not pass on to her but to her husband's brothers and her sons. Judges fairly regularly heard cases of estate settlement with widow's plea set before them. They had been charged by Moses to act fairly and impartially. (Deut. 1:16-17) The care of the widows was grounded in God's mercy (Deut. 24:17-18).
But here in the parable this unjust judge finally does what is right because he does not want to be badgered anymore by the widow. Jesus says as the unjust judge will finally respond justly, how much more so will God grant us justice who cry out to Him day and night. Jesus says at the sound of the constant crying out that God responds without long delay with compassionate justice.
Then Jesus asks us, "And yet, when the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) comes, will He find faith on earth?" Faith like the widow's with constant persistence? Faith that keeps on keeping on. Faith assures that our God is compassionate to care for the helpless, downtrodden, the weak, those treated unjustly-- so we choose to rely on our faith in Jesus Christ constantly, like the widow. We place our hope in our compassionate God who has given us our awesome Savior. Will we have faith when Christ returns?
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to His chosen ones who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, He will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Luke 18:1-8