That is an intriguing post, Laura. I hadn't seen the connection between the warning and description of the role of doorkeeper with the failure of the three apostles.
Your closing question threw me, however, because it seems to discount the fact that we expect Jesus to come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and inaugurate God's reign in all its fullness. By saying that Jesus is present with us as a spiritual reality (which he definitely is), do you believe that Jesus is still coming again in a physical reality? If not, why not?
There is application of the doorkeeper image in terms of our daily alertness to see what Christ is doing in the world around us and within our sphere of influence (and to join in with what he is doing). But there is also application in terms of our continuing in faithfulness, not growing weary of well-doing, in anticipation of his final return in glory.
I believe Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
I think the role of the doorkeeper has been vacated. The failure of Peter, James, and John is evidence that people are not up to the demands of the role. That's my takeaway from Mark 13 & 14 -- the humbling realization that Jesus tried to institute the office of doorkeeper, only to have the leaders of the disciples immediately fail him. Because of their ineptitude, The Doorkeeper is no longer a leadership position in the church.
2 comments:
That is an intriguing post, Laura. I hadn't seen the connection between the warning and description of the role of doorkeeper with the failure of the three apostles.
Your closing question threw me, however, because it seems to discount the fact that we expect Jesus to come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and inaugurate God's reign in all its fullness. By saying that Jesus is present with us as a spiritual reality (which he definitely is), do you believe that Jesus is still coming again in a physical reality? If not, why not?
There is application of the doorkeeper image in terms of our daily alertness to see what Christ is doing in the world around us and within our sphere of influence (and to join in with what he is doing). But there is also application in terms of our continuing in faithfulness, not growing weary of well-doing, in anticipation of his final return in glory.
I believe Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
I think the role of the doorkeeper has been vacated. The failure of Peter, James, and John is evidence that people are not up to the demands of the role. That's my takeaway from Mark 13 & 14 -- the humbling realization that Jesus tried to institute the office of doorkeeper, only to have the leaders of the disciples immediately fail him. Because of their ineptitude, The Doorkeeper is no longer a leadership position in the church.
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