None of us knows how much time we have left.
That is the sobering truth Jesus emphasized shortly before going to the cross, and in a recent teaching, Rabbi Kirt Schneider said His words still call Christians to respond to God without delay.
Pointing to John 12, Schneider highlighted Jesus’ warning:
“So Jesus said to them, ‘For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so the darkness will not overtake you… While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.'”
“Our life is like a vapor”
Schneider said Jesus’ words extend beyond His impending crucifixion and remind us that every believer has a limited opportunity to faithfully follow Him.
“Just a little while longer, beloved, and the opportunity to choose light is given to you and I. Because our life is short. Our life is like a vapor on the earth.”
He urged Christians not to delay obedience.
“So we just have a short opportunity to do the things that the Spirit’s calling us to do, and pick up our cross and obey the Lord and follow the light.”
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Schneider challenged believers to examine their hearts.
“How long will we be selfish? How long will we put off mastering anger?… How long will it be, beloved, until we make a decision to truly repent, to believe and follow Jesus?”
He added, “You can’t wait and put it off because you don’t know if you’re going to die tonight. You may die today. It may be tomorrow. It may be next week. It may be next year.”
Instead, Schneider pointed to the hope found in responding to God today.
“This is why the Scripture says, ‘If today we hear His voice, do not harden your heart.’ Today is the day of salvation.”
Walking in the Light
Schneider also addressed those battling fear, anxiety, loneliness and spiritual discouragement.
“How do you get out of the darkness? How do you come out of depression? How do you come out of anxiety? How do you come out of loneliness? By believing in the Light.”
He reminded listeners that Jesus and His Word are the source of that Light.
“God’s Word is light. God’s Word is a light into our path. Jesus is the Word. So we put our faith in the light.”
As fearful thoughts arise, Schneider encouraged believers to stand on Scripture.
“When thoughts of fear assail you, what do you do? You affirm God’s Word. Father, I will trust You. I will not be afraid.”
Spend time with the Lord
Schneider also pointed to Jesus’ example of regularly withdrawing to spend time alone with the Father.
“Beloved, you can’t ever know God if you don’t spend time alone with Him, just like Jesus did, oftentimes going to a lonely place to pray.”
Rather than running from difficult thoughts, he encouraged believers to bring them before God.
“Don’t run from your thoughts. Face your thoughts. Sit before the Lord in your anxiety… It will become a stepping stone for you into God’s presence.”
Schneider then returned to Jesus’ warning and encouragement.
“Beloved, I want to encourage you, believe in the light while you have the light, lest you become blinded by the darkness. This is a warning, beloved. Today, the kingdom of God is at hand for you.”
Schneider’s message is ultimately one of hope. Christ continues to call His people to walk in His Light today, trusting His Word and following Him wholeheartedly while the opportunity remains.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
