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Our Daily Journey: A 30-Day Walk With JesusSample

Our Daily Journey: A 30-Day Walk With Jesus

DAY 17 OF 30

Foretastes of the Kingdom

When I was 10 years old, Baskin-Robbins opened a new ice cream store in my neighborhood. It didn’t serve the icy, generic brand of sweet treats that my mom occasionally bought at the grocery store. This was good ice cream—thick and creamy!

Better yet, Baskin-Robbins let its patrons sample their different flavors of ice cream with their iconic pink taste-testing spoons. These provided small but yummy samples of what was to come if you ordered a full scoop or two. This was uncharted territory for a 10-year-old. And I’m here to report that I took full advantage of it!

In her book Kingdom Calling, Amy Sherman tells of a pastor who held up one of those pink taste-testing spoons as he was teaching about joining Jesus in His “grand, sweeping work of restoration.” Just as pink spoons offered “foretastes” of the ice cream to come, he encouraged his Christian audience to think of themselves as offering “foretastes” of God’s coming kingdom to their “neighbors near and far.”

King Jesus taught that the kingdom of God has already arrived in our world through Him (Mark 1:14-15). But it won’t fully come until He returns to the world, sits on the throne, and renews all things (Revelation 21:5). The second coming of Jesus, however, shouldn’t motivate us to live a passive life, where we sit around and wait for Him to show up someday. For we, the body of Christ, have a job to do!

Until Jesus returns, our mission is to partner with Him in giving foretastes—previews—of God’s kingdom. One day that kingdom will fully come to earth as it is in heaven (Mark 1:15; Matthew 6:10). As we wait and anticipate, we too can bring great joy to God the Father (Mark 1:11).

Let’s spread His good news today! —Jeff Olson

MORE: Read Matthew 24:14 and consider what part you play in God’s kingdom-building plan.

NEXT: How have you been a “foretaste” of God’s kingdom? How can you be one today?

Day 16Day 18

About this Plan

Our Daily Journey: A 30-Day Walk With Jesus

Every journey requires supplies. On the journey of life, some of the best supplies are God’s Word and a bit of encouragement from friends. This Our Daily Journey reading plan features 30 days of writing from trusted authors whose insights speak into your life. Each short devotional contains a story supported by multiple Scripture references as well as a “Next” section to help you think more deeply. Make the most of your devotional time with truth and encouragement from Our Daily Journey.

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We would like to thank Our Daily Bread Ministries for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://ourdailyjourney.org