For the past week, my wife and I have been “home alone”– our kids were out for a Summer camp. For this reason, suddenly, we felt that our home is quieter, more relaxing, and we have more private time together than before 🙂 The good thing is we have fewer interruptions and we can focus things that we’d like to do. The bad is there is a sense of “loneliness” and “fewer helping hands” when we need. All in all, this home alone experience let us “foretaste” the empty-nesting syndrome which we are likely to experience it in the future.
As “foretaste” is to have a sample or indication of what is to come, it could therefore prepare us for what is coming and this may mean thing is either desirable or undesirable. For example, in modern product development, a foretaste is similar to an early ship program, a.k.a. “pilot program”, that allows product producer and customer to test a new product before it becomes ready for general public. This means customer could use this opportunity to test the new product and hence make a wise purchasing decision. On the other hand, the producer could use the program to “test water” and improve the product accordingly. In essence, the program could help in minimizing an unwise purchasing or a potential risk of disaster, if it exists, to the producer.
How about our spiritual journey? Do we have a similar concept of “foretasting”? Actually yes! In the Old Testament time, many prophets foretell God’s judgment against Isarelites after they received visions from God. Examples are prophet Isaiah saw the LORD sits on the throne in the temple; Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones; Daniel’s vision of the statue and the beast, etc. When it comes to New Testament, one notable instance of foretasting is on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus becomes radiant upon the mountain (Luke 9:28-36, Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8). Jesus’ disciples, Peter, John and James saw the transfigured Jesus and prophets Moses and Elijah appeared, in glorious splendor, next to Him and talked to Him. Peter then said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (Matthew 17:4)”. From Peter’s point of view, this is a foretaste of the perfection of life in Heaven and he indicates that he would like to stay there. Another example is apostle Paul. He was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell 他被提到樂園裡，聽見隱祕的言語，是人不可說的 (2 Corinthians 12:4). Apostle John’s vision of Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos is his the second foretaste he had of the image of Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:12-16).
Thinking of these instances also brings up my memory of a famous hymn “Blessed Assurance”, authored by Frances J. Crosby’s – “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!” Frances reveals that she foretastes the divine glory of Jesus because Jesus is her personal Lord. Despite her being blind from shortly after birth, this foretasting experience sustains her throughout her preaching, teaching, and her rescue mission work. What a graceful experience. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, have you foretasted the sweetness of our Lord? May you be His true follower!
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Disclaimer: The sharing is pure from my personal view; therefore, please don’t take it to be absolute. Thanks.