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Matthew 24:45
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 25:14
Forthe kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

Luke 19:12-17
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return…

and to.

Romans 12:4-8
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: …

Romans 13:6
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

1 Corinthians 3:5-10
Who then is Paul, and whois Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? …

and commanded.

Ezekiel 3:17-21
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me…

Ezekiel 33:2-9
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: …

Matthew 24:45-47
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? …

the porter.

Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

John 10:3
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

who left his house
The house symbolizes the church or the community of believers. In biblical times, a house was not just a physical structure but a center of family and community life. Jesus, as the head of the church, entrusts His followers with the responsibility of maintaining and growing His spiritual household in His physical absence. This reflects the trust and authority given to the disciples and, by extension, to all believers.

put each servant in charge of his own task
This phrase underscores the concept of individual responsibility and stewardship. Each servant is given a specific task, indicating that every believer has a unique role and purpose within the body of Christ. This aligns with Paul's teachings in1 Corinthians 12, where he describes the church as a body with many parts, each having its own function. The emphasis is on faithfulness and diligence in fulfilling one's God-given duties.

and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch
The doorkeeper represents those who are particularly tasked with vigilance and alertness, possibly alluding to leaders within the church who are responsible for spiritual oversight. The instruction to keep watch is a call to be spiritually alert and prepared for the return of Christ. This theme of watchfulness is echoed throughout the New Testament, such as in1 Thessalonians 5:6, where believers are urged to be awake and sober, anticipating the Lord's return. The doorkeeper's role is crucial, as it involves protecting the household and ensuring readiness for the master's return.

Jesus compares Himself to “a man going on a journey,” pointing to His ascension and promised return. The imagery echoesLuke 19:12-13 andMatthew 25:14-30, where a departing master entrusts resources to his servants. After His resurrection, the Lord was “taken up into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11), but He did not abandon His people; rather, He “went to prepare a place” and will “come again” (John 14:2-3). The journey stresses:

• His physical absence is real, yet temporary.

• Our current season is one of stewardship and anticipation, not idleness.

• The certainty of His return motivates faithful living (Hebrews 10:37).

The “house” represents the household of God—His covenant people. Paul calls the church “the house of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15; see alsoEphesians 2:19-22). By leaving, the master entrusts the household’s welfare to those within it, underscoring:

• Jesus’ confidence in His Spirit-enabled church (John 14:16-17).

• Our shared identity as members of one spiritual home (1 Peter 2:5).

• The privilege of managing what belongs to Him, not to us (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

Every believer receives a specific assignment. No one is left without purpose. Scripture fleshes this out:

• “Each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function” (Romans 12:4-8).

• “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards” (1 Peter 4:10).

• Jesus highlights faithful, wise servants who manage the household at the proper time (Matthew 24:45-47).

Key takeaways:

– Diversity of roles is God-designed; comparison kills contentment.

– Accountability is individual; my task is not negotiable or transferable.

– Fruitfulness, not busyness, is the standard (John 15:5).

In a first-century estate, the doorkeeper guarded access and remained alert for the master’s return. Jesus appoints spiritual watchmen—pastors, elders, and all who heed His call—to protect the flock and stay vigilant:

• “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35-40).

• “So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

• “If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief” (Revelation 3:3; 16:15).

Watching involves:

– Guarding doctrine and moral purity (Acts 20:28-31).

– Discerning the times without date-setting (Mark 13:32-37).

– Living in readiness so His return never catches us off guard.

Mark 13:34 paints a vivid picture of the church age. The ascended Lord has left His household in capable, Spirit-empowered hands, assigning every believer meaningful work and stationing watchful leaders at the door. Our calling is clear: embrace our God-given tasks, steward His resources faithfully, and live alert for the Master’s imminent return.

And commanded the porter to watch.--This feature is unique in our Lord's parables, and, as such, seems to call for a special interpretation. The "servants" we accept at once as the disciples, and we understand generally what was the authority and the work assigned to them. But who was specifically the "gate-keeper" or "porter"? The answer appears to be found in the promise of the keys of the kingdom that had been made to St. Peter (Matthew 16:19). It was his work to open the door of that kingdom wide, to be ready for his Lord's coming in any of those manifold senses which experience would unfold to him. We may accordingly venture to trace in St. Mark's record, here as elsewhere, the influence of the Apostle. That word "the porter" was, he felt, meant for him, and this he remembered when much that had been recorded by others had faded from his recollection. If we adopt this application of the word here, it throws light on the somewhat difficult reference to the "porter" of the sheep-fold inJohn 10:3.

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