“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” (Revelation 7: 9-10, NIV)
Our society seems to become more fractured with each passing week. With divisions along lines of race, sex, religion, political affiliation, social standing, national origin — and others — it would seem that there is possibility for a common ground on which to seek unity in the midst of our diversity.
In today’s reading, we see a unity that recognizes diversity. We see a unity that transcends national origin, race, color, and language. The source of this transcendent unity is our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As our Creator, God loves us all and desires that all of us accept His offer of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lamb that atones for our sin.
Do we love those who are not like us as God loves those who are not like us? – Luther
