Author: Bill Hall

But in that city was a widow, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Get me justice from my adversary.’

Luke 18:3

This woman evidently had a suit of some kind against someone who had done wrong. She was asking the judge to do what was right, and to punish the offender. We do not know the specifics of her suit, but it seems from the way Jesus presents it, we are meant to take the widow’s grievance as legitimate.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your care for the less fortunate, and for teaching us to care for them. Your love, grace, mercy and wisdom are amazing. You alone are able to bring final justice for any wrongdoing. We will look to You for vengeance, and not to ourselves. You are the perfect Judge. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

saying, ‘There was a judge in a certain city, who did not fear God, and did not respect men.’

Luke 18:2

Jesus gives us the setup here. This judge is presented as a man who is not concerned with God’s truth, nor was he particularly afraid of any other individual. He cared only for himself, and what he saw as justice. Jesus is setting up here for us a situation in which no one going to this particular judge could expect to get actual justice.

Although Jesus refers to a ‘certain city’, this does not necessarily mean he had a particular city and a particular judge in mind. However, we also cannot dogmatically say that there were not particular individuals in mind when Jesus was telling his parables.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your justice. You alone are fair. You alone are completely pure, just, good, and righteous. Without your Spirit working through your Word, this world would be a worse place than it already is. It is only by Your power that the evil one is held back. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

He related a parable to them that it is necessary for men to always pray, and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1

This is one of the precious teachings of Christ in which He brings up the subject. It is always somehting to take note of when Jesus is intentional.

Here we see that Luke shares that this parable was addressed specifically to men. This does not exclude women from the application. But it applies directly and impactfully to men in the roles that the Lord has chosen for them.

One might say this is Jesus’ ‘pray without ceasing’ parable. And it addresses vengance especially. It is quite often that righteous men will find themselves wanting to bring vengance upon the evils of this world. But, constant, vigilant, and powerful prayer is meant to be the path to proper vengance. The Lord must handle it because men will do it wrongfully.

Heavenly Father, may I never forget to pray always! Day by day, hour by hour, I will bring what I have in my heart before You. You alone are equal to the task. You can more than care for and understand every thought of my heart, and give me courage in the face of every injustice. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

In response they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” He said back to them, “Wherever the body is, there the vultures gather.”

Luke 17:37

Jesus does not answer with a specific place. This is prophecy. We can see that very clearly by the wording Jesus uses. What he does do is answer the question, just not in the way they wanted.

What He means here is that those who do not escape suffer Divine judgment. The reminder of Lot’s wife is the most clear indication of this. But His choice of illustration in this verse also indicates that this is what He is speaking of.

Heavenly Father, when we think of Your just wrath we are so afraid. There is nothing in this world worth a man’s fear but Your displeasure. All may go against those who are in Your care, and peace will attend them. But to be the target of Your wrath is a thing too terrible for me to fully comprehend. Oh God that we will seek Your face and be repentant! Our bodies and minds are corrupted and we cannot stand before You. I give You all praise for Chirst! Only through Him may I see You, know Your truth, or escape Your just allotment of destruction. Thank You for Him! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other, left.

Luke 17:36

These two will be working together out in the crops. One is taken away and the other is not. And so we undesrtand that the repetition of the same scenario is meant for emphasis. Close association is not assurance of safety. No location or activity is out of harm’s way. Some will make it, and others will not.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word. We have so much to learn and understand. We find ourselves coming back to its pages over and over. Its Truth is sweet to us. Give us understanding and wisdom. Your Truth is worth the effort! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Two will be grinding in the same place; one will be taken, and the other left.

Luke 17:35

Here again we do not have the gender in the Greek. The emphasis here is not on who is grinding, but the fact that these individuals are workng together and yet will be divided up.

In this passage, the one ‘taken’ may actually be the one rescued rather than the other way around. The way we translate to English the one taken seems to tbe the one in jeopardy, but that is not clearly the case.

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for You glorious blessings! You do so much in our lives every day to help us in this present broken world, and we take it for granted. Oh Father! Open our eyes to how much we depend upon You for every little thing! You alone know just how wonderfful Your plans are. If we could but see this world as it would be without sin, our habitual incredulity would die on the spot. Thank You for the amazing and wonderful fullness of Your Divinity revealed in Christ. It is a constant wonder to have Him in our lives. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

I say to you, there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.

Luke 17:34

In some translations one may find that this is translated “two men” in one bed. The gender of the individuals is not identified in the Greek. Most likely this is speaking of a husband and wife. This serves to emphasize that close association with one who makes it is no guarantee.

Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful world You have made. We see the calamity that endures and realize this is unnatural. You made a perfect world, and You will make a perfect world again. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The one who seeks to save his life will lose it, and the one who loses it will rescue it.

Luke 17:33

For many, life is actually made up of all the things, freedoms, and conditions that are valued as a part of a happy human life. But these things are not life. The Lord teaches us to hold things with an open hand, knowing that we ultimately must rely upon Him.

Heavenly Father, when You want to take something, there is always a good reason. Thank You for guiding us and showing us Your way. Life is great, when we understand what it really is. I love You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Remember Lot’s wife.

Luke 17:32

The judgement of God should be feared above all else. The reminder of Lot’s wife here serves as a warning to any who would hesitate if given a prior notice of the coming calamity.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the comfort of Your Word! Though we are imperfect in our understanding, Your Spirit guides and helps us. To look daily upon it’s pages is truly a blessing. Never could we take more for granted than to ignore the benefits of the Bible. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

In that day, the one who is on the housetop, and his things in the house, do not let him go down to pick them up. And the one who is in the field, likewise do not let him not turn back.

Luke 17:31

When the judgement of the Lord is coming, there is no time for worldly persuits. Events surrounding the coming of Christ will not be entirely predictable.

Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us these things ahead of time. Give us wisdom to understand and know Your truth. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.