Use By

Sometimes in plain dates, sometimes in code, packaged food items have “Best if used by” dates. I noticed one on my cats’ treat bottle. According to the date, these are at their best for over a year and a half. Recently we cleaned out pantry shelves, tossing some items that were waaaay past their Best Use By dates.

When I noticed the cat treats today, I thought of the thief on the cross next to Jesus.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:42-43 KJV)

How much witness can one do in less than a day? This man’s witness was recorded and millennia later we read of his acceptance of Jesus as God’s son and the future king. I wonder if he saw any more than innocence when he looked into Jesus’ face?

Or the centurion, what did he see in Jesus before he said:

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. (Mark 15:39 KJV)

Compared to the time spent by Peter or the area covered by Paul, their time was short. No books, no preaching, no reading from God’s word to vast audiences, yet their witness resonates though their Best Used By date was short.

What’s our Best Used By date? Have we done our best and are backing off, or is our best yet to come? Or have we ignored Him, not responding to His stated purpose:

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

Have we acknowledged His purpose? Have we aided His purpose? Have stood before others and repeated the centurion’s words?

Most of us don’t know our Best Used By date. It may come early in our lives, or very late. We may have decades, or be one of those who leave this world today. None of us know how much time we have left in our lives.

Before we stand before Him, what will we do about Him?