Coming in the Second or Third Watch - Luke 12:38

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And you yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirty-eight of his book Luke shared how Jesus tells His disciples to watch, “if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch” where we read:

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch,

and find them so, blessed are those servants.

The verse reads, “And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, ...” Luke began with the words, “And if he shall come” or “and whether the lord of the servant arises and appears” “in the second watch” which means “within the second period of time of guarding”, “or come in the third watch” or “or arise and appear within the third period of time of guarding;”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to the “lord” “coming” during the “second or third” time of guarding.

The verse goes on to say, “... and find them so, blessed are those servants.” Luke continued with the words, “and find them so” or “and discover his servants performing and producing their services”, “blessed” which means “oh how happy, fortunate and well off” “are those servants” or “are the serving ministers of the lord who are watching for His return”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to the “happiness” of the “servants” of the Lord who are performing their duties and expecting His return.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus referred to the “second and third” watches of the night which are between nine p.m. to three p.m.. These would be the times when the night is long, and the expectancy of the “guards” or “watchmen” would be challenged. Jesus called the “servants” who are “watching” and “serving” during the difficult hours would be “blessed”, and when a person who has given their life to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and serve Him, they shall be recognized and exalted for all eternity.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells His disciples what would happen, “if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".