Knowing the Hour of the Thief - Luke 12:39

Luke the beloved physician 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 if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirty-nine of his book Luke shared how Jesus tells His disciples what would happen, “if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come” where we read:

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come,

he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

The verse reads, “And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, ...” Luke began with the words, “And this know” or “and understand, perceive, notice and discern the following”, “that if the goodman of the house” which means “that whether the master and head of the family” “had known what hour” or “perceived, understood, noticed and discerned the certain and definite time and moment” “the thief would come” which means “the stealer, embezzler and pilferer would arrive”. Luke shared how Jesus directed those listening to Him toward the idea that the “master of the family” being advantaged if he was aware of the exact moment that a “robber” would arrive at his home.

The verse continues, “... he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.” Luke added the words, “he would have watched” or “the master of the house would have been looking for and expecting the thief”, “and not have suffered” which means “and would not have allowed and permitted” “his house to be broken through” or “the master's dwelling place, abode and habitation to be broken up, burglarized, penetrated and plundered ”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “head of the household” would have been looking for the “thief” and not allowed him to penetrate or plunder his home if he was aware of the time he was coming.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus taught the principle concerning “looking for” and “expecting” His return. Anyone who knows when a “thief” is to arrive at their home would be prepared for the robber. Jesus will tell how He will return to the earth in “an hour when you think not”, and those who are wise will not only be looking for His appearance, but align themselves in faith and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” so they are ready when He comes.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not”, 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".