Alert Doorkeeper
Mark 13:33 – Watch out! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come. 34 – It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves in charge, assigning to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. 35 – Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return – whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn – 36 – or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly. 37 – What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay alert!”
In this interesting parable the doorkeeper was given the important task of staying alert for the return of the owner of the house. All the other slaves were assigned their jobs. We aren’t even told what those jobs were. The one we are supposed to pay attention to is the doorkeeper because the command given to the doorkeeper is the same as the one Jesus gives to everyone: Stay alert! Don’t be found sleeping when he returns – for his return will be sudden.
In my Greek dictionary the word for sleep is ‘katheudo.’ It has some interesting meanings. It starts off with the most obvious ones – to fall asleep or drop off to sleep, then it gets deeper. To sleep euphemistically, to be dead. This one we can’t help when it happens, but we can be alert until that time comes and then there’s the final one: metaphorical sleep. To yield to sloth and sin or to be indifferent to one’s salvation. To be sleeping in negligence to one’s assigned duty to stay alert to the coming of the Lord – enjoying the amusements of the world. Let’s Be alert to the signs happening all around us. Don’t become indifferent to salvation now! Jesus is right at the door!
Throughout my life I’ve been in embarrassing situations where I’ve fallen asleep at church. I’ve really appreciated those who have politely poked me to rouse me out of slumber. When you go to church today, don’t laugh at those who are sleeping. Let’s give them a polite poke to wake them up. Let’s engage them in conversation and find out about their story with Jesus. You may find that it helps you stay alert too!
Let’s stay alert for the return of Jesus together! Have a blessed Sabbath!
Where two are gathered 