I’m enjoying riding my bicycle on our favorite New Jersey seashore town’s 4-mile-long boardwalk when a flock of noisy seagulls flies directly overhead. Obviously, they’ve had a rather ample breakfast and are in need of you-know-what, which lands right on the back of my jacket with a noticeable plop. Great start to my day! Thanks, rude and crude fine feathered friends!

Later that day, my wife and I attend an annual festival celebrating I forget what. Who knows? All I did know was that one of my favorite TV comedians from way back when would be there in person. Soupy Sales! But recently the poor guy has suffered a terrible stroke and obviously is having a hard time with it all.

One of Soupy’s television schticks was a pie in the face. So, we were given pies filled with shaving creme to shove in each other’s faces. Such fun except when the lady next to me, before the okay is given, turns and grinds her pie directly in my left ear and then smooshes it some more.

I hate and fear a clogged ear. Always have. Produces a panic attack. And I had one that day. A big one that my wife helps me get out of by using a hairdryer to melt the shaving stuff while offering to play a card game to calm me down only to beat me unmercifully. That helped! It was one of those days.

But all that silly stuff of mine is nothing, even less than nothing if that’s possible, in comparison with what Jesus experiences on what turns out to be His last day. Think of all that He goes through. As in the failure of His closest friends and followers. He only has twelve. One sells Him for a lowball price, becoming a traitor of the worst kind.

Then Simon Peter, the main apostle, hovering at the outskirts of one of Jesus’ trials, when confronted claims he never knew this man Jesus. Hasn’t a clue who they’re talking about. Feeling cornered, he curses a blue streak with further denials. With friends like this, well, you know.

The rest of those twelve? They high-tail it out of Dodge. Run for their lives. When Jesus needs them the most, they’re not to be found. Oh, yes, the Apostle John and some others mosey on back, hanging out in the shadows, hoping the spotlight ignores them. Only the women stay faithful to their Lord. And they’re only a handful.

The day continues with some unsuspecting pilgrim from North Africa being commandeered to carry Jesus’ cross. Then a thief, a convicted crook, exhibits faith at the very last second. A Roman centurion, a Gentile, who guards Jesus’ crucifixion site, exclaims that this man is much more than that. He’s the Son of God. A few members of the high mucky-muck religious leadership, the Sanhedrin, ask for Jesus’ body so they can bury Him in a nearby tomb.

Quite a day Jesus has. But it becomes a day when all the tables will be turned from death to life. Like no other, it’s a day that ushers in the end of darkness and death. Where light and life will shine forever. It’s the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ! His day for you and me. Shouldn’t that thought make us more grateful to our Lord? Give thanksgiving to Jesus? All week long?

Seagulls, clogged ears, and faithless followers won’t have the last say. Hear what the angel says–‘…Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here…’ (Mark 16: 6).

Lord Jesus, thank you for being my risen Savior forever. Amen.

Did today’s title get your attention? Hope so for I’m revealing all you’ll need to know about the no ifs, ands, or buts, ironclad, and no fine print timing of Jesus’ second coming. Even promising money-back if I’m off by a day or two. Charts and booklets I’m selling at exorbitantly inflated prices with enormous profits for myself. What a guy. All heart…and dough!

Actually, I can’t remember a time when I was drawn to those prognosticators who know all about the how, when, where, and who of end-times predictions. I’m skeptical. Rarely convinced.

Such culmination highbrows have a thing about knowing it all and having the right answers as big-shots who get their jollies through one-upmanship. Neener, neener, neener– I know more than you poor swine out there in the peanut gallery!

So, I’ll stick with what Jesus has to say. He might have a clue or two as to His own second coming. Might He? Duh! The Gospel writer Mark records what Jesus teaches in chapter 13. Basically, it’s four words of good advice. Only four? That’s right. And remember, don’t forget!

First of all, don’t be overcome with fear at the state of this crazy world (v. 6-8). Lots of false messiahs and political magicians will offer cures for society’s ills. Wars and upheavals, even in nature, will be par for the course. There’s really nothing new under the sun. So, get a grip. Hold your Savior’s hands.

Second, don’t let persecution break your trust in Jesus (v. 9-10). The time is coming (and for much of the world, it’s been here for quite a while) when we’ll lose jobs, money, family, friends, and even our lives because of our relationship with Jesus and the teachings of God’s Word in the Bible. You know what I mean. So, don’t give in, Jesus says. This will happen with increasing ferocity before He returns to straighten out everyone and everything once and for all. I can hardly wait.

Third, don’t worry about being tongue-tied when questioned about your faith (v. 11). Be yourself and God’s Holy Spirit will be right there with you, filling your mind and heart with what you want to say. Be kind. Clear and definite. Try not to be intimidated or likewise to hit someone else over the head if they disagree with you. Remember who’s by your side. God’s Helper, the Holy Spirit. Can’t get any better than that!

Finally, hang in there with Jesus. Can get really dicey, even with our families (vs. 12-13), because of Jesus and what the Bible teaches. We know what that’s like and how it feels. Our backs get slammed against the wall. No one seems to care or love us. Only Jesus. Only our Savior. He will. Who needs more than Him?

When is the end coming? I know exactly when and even can guarantee it. When God the Father says so. Jesus will arrive right on time. Not a day or millenia late. It will be something to behold if you are in the family of God. If not? All hell will break loose and the unimaginable will commence. Not for believers. Not ever. That I can guarantee. For Jesus said–‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).

So, come over and get real close to the Overcomer!

Thank you, Jesus, for your promises of goodness and life to me. Amen.

Why do I make living for Jesus so complicated? Do this…don’t do that. Say this…don’t say that. I get tangled up in brambles and briers of my own making. Guilt from my past rears its ugly head more often than I’d like. After all, Jesus has bothered to sacrifice His life in order to forgive my sins. Hanging on to old useless junk seems ungrateful. Like kicking dust in Jesus’ face, marking ‘return to sender’ for the best gift anyone has ever given me. Not smart. Way too many flies in the ointment of my faith.

Looking for some help, I run across Mark 9. There I stop for a moment. Something in this story shouts ‘pay attention’. Is the Lord speaking to me? In a still, small voice? You think?

Here’s what grabs me. One day Jesus’ disciples are confronted by a father and son. The boy suffers from convulsions. An evil spirit tosses him to the ground. Foam appears on his lips. A demon casts him into flames of fire, and then into a pool of water trying to drown him. What father wouldn’t want to find any help from any source anywhere? Desperate he turns to Jesus’ followers. For help and healing. But the apostles prove inept and useless.

Jesus is not a happy camper, hearing about His followers’ limp dishrag efforts. He tells them to bring the boy to Him. The father shares his son’s story, asking Jesus to help if He can. If He can? If? Jesus then says that everything is possible with God. That’s when the father admits this–‘I believe; help my unbelief!’

I can have said much the same. To be honest, I need my faith to grow more. This father openly displays his honesty and humility. That his faith needs more oomph and resilience. He wants to trust Jesus but fears disappointment. ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ He’s not alone with that confession.

Throughout this story, two elements surface that make for a Christian life. A couple of basics. To untangle twisted-up faith. First, obviously involves a relationship with Jesus. More than mouthing some words, it’s coming to Him, believing Him. Okay, like that father, we’re not perfect. Our faith needs beefing up. A mustard seed-sized faith will do. At least for starters. Baby steps lead to walking and then running with your Lord. But start where you are.

Faith in Jesus means trusting Him even when we’re not sure that we should or can. A conscious choice to be His. Position Him first and foremost, and then put Him back up there when we’ve allowed other things to give Him the old heave-ho. Be quick about this. Don’t dawdle. Your faith will mature and grow the more you put Him first. Three steps forward, one back. One forward, two back. But remember, the trend is your friend as your faith will grow. Be patient, even with yourself. Again, your faith in Jesus will grow.

Then there’s prayer. I don’t have a set formula. Or some magic incantation that opens heaven’s ears and arms. A skeleton key that unlocks all the blessings we think we can’t live without. No. Prayer is simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and telling Him all that’s on your heart and mind. All of it. With your Lord. Talking with Him. And listening to Him in your Bible. Thinking of Him and His ways more often than not. Unable to wait to be with Him. A passion, if you will. A want-to that’s much more than a have-to. You know the difference. Don’t you?

Following Jesus is not some Rube Goldberg contraption, a brand-new high-tech unfathomable gadget, or an old can of worms impossible to open. Just follow. Stop playing games. Mean it. The purpose of our lives? Here’s a thought–‘The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever’ (from the Westminster Shorter Catechism).

Hey, even I can put my head around that wisdom! Two requirements. Worship and enjoyment…of our God. Now and forever. That says it all!

Thank you, Jesus, for being the love of my life. Amen.