Previews of Jesus

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:16-17

Gabe watched his tablet with rapt attention. This new game looked so cool! It had everything: monsters, sword fights, pirate ships…this had to be the best game he would ever play.

“Dad, check out this game that’s coming out! The preview looks so cool. Do you think we can get it?” Gabe asked eagerly.

Dad took the tablet and watched a few moments of the trailer. “I’ll have to check it out a little more, but it does look fun. You know, game studios often show amazing trailers for games, but then the actual game doesn’t measure up. It’s not always a good preview of what’s coming out,” Dad remarked.

“Maybe, but I still want to try it.” Gabe kept thinking about the new game as he put away his tablet and got ready to go to the hospital. His family volunteered to visit sick people who didn’t get many visitors.

As they stepped off the elevator, Gabe asked his dad, “Why do we come and talk to people here at the hospital? Don’t they have family who can visit them?”

“Sometimes they do, but a lot of the patients who stay at the hospital a long time don’t get many visitors, and they get lonely,” Dad said as they walked down the hallway. “When we come say hi, we cheer them up, and that can help them feel better. It’s one way we can show the love of Jesus to them.” They turned into a hospital room and chatted with a man recovering from surgery.

Back at home, Gabe was still thinking about what his dad said and the video game trailer he had watched earlier. He realized something and ran to his dad. “You know what? We’re just like that trailer I showed you earlier, but we’re trailers for Jesus! When we visit people in the hospital, we’re showing a little bit of what the kingdom of God will be like.”

Dad smiled at Gabe. “You’re exactly right! I never thought of it that way before. When we care about those who are sick and help them feel better, we’re showing them what Jesus is like and point to His promise to heal all sickness one day. I just hope we’re more accurate previews of God’s kingdom than some of the games I’ve played!”

-Nicole Kraayenbrink

How About You?

Do you think the way you act and treat people matters? If you’re a Christian, the way you act should reflect what God’s kingdom looks like. That means treating people with love and kindness as Jesus did, because He died and rose again to make us part of His kingdom. What are some ways you could be a preview of God’s kingdom?

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 10:9 Heal the sick, and tell them, “The Kingdom of God is near you now.” (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Show others the kingdom of God