Heeey, Ab-bott

“HEEEEY, AB-BOTT!!” I was watching part of one of those Abbott & Costello meet some sort of monster movies the other night for a few minutes as I was channel surfing. Lou Costello just cracks me up. He’s always in a world of his own and then the unexpected happens and he totally freaks out. The only thing he can think of is to call for his buddy Abbott to come rescue him. Of course Abbott never does see what the problem is with Costello and everything seems to be back to normal until Abbott exits the scene. Then some creature will tap Lou on the shoulder sending him into a tailspin once again running and screaming looking for his savior, “HEEEY, AB-BOTT!!!” I’ll bet you know somebody who’s jumpy. You know, the guy or gal if just touched with a finger, they jump right out of their skin. We used to say they were “goosey”. I’ve known a couple of people that all you have to do is point your finger at them and they would jump. And just like ticklish children, they’ll keep an eye on you for a few minutes, but sooner or later their attention will lead elsewhere, opening the door for another fun-filled attack. The problem with some of these people though, you might be surprised at what comes out of their mouth when they jump, and it ain’t, “Hey Abbott”.
A passenger in a taxi leaned forward to ask the driver a question and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches away from the large plate glass window of a store front. For a few minutes there was silence in the cab, and then the still shaken driver said, “I’m sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me.” The frightened passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn’t realize a mere tap on the shoulder would frighten him that much. To that the driver replied, “No, no; I’m sorry. It’s entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for the last 25 years.
[Matthew 24: 30-44; 2 Peter 3: 3-13] How often have you gotten all wrapped up in something only to be unexpectedly startled by the presence of someone? I can’t remember how many times I’ve jumped out of my skin when someone would quietly walk up behind me and ask me a question. “BANG!” I’d rise up and hit my head on the hood of a car. I had to teach people to walk around where I would catch them out of the corner of my eye and then speak. Well, I wonder how many people are going to be caught off guard on the day their life on earth ends or the day the Lord returns? Both Jesus and the Apostles warn us of the impending return of Jesus and the destruction of everything that has ever been made. The coming is described as “like a thief in the night”. That’s chilling enough for me right there. In this case God is trying to get across to us that death or the return of Jesus is going to take place when we least expect it. The angels, not even Jesus himself, know when this will happen, according to the scriptures. So, many lessons have been given to us about being prepared for His coming. Matthew chapter 25 illustrates this perfectly, also Luke 12: 35-38; plus many more, which you’ll find in your studies. All I can say is, if these things were not important, they wouldn’t be in God’s Word. Think about it. If the Lord were to come right now, are you ready to go with Him to the Heavenly Father where you’ll live life eternal in love, or will Jesus say, “I don’t know you”? Scream all you want, no one can save you then. Not even Jesus!