One Of Many

Revelation 7:9-17

My thoughts are still with the events from Monday's bombing in Boston. As such I see today's passage in a light I've not seen it before. I'm vaguely familiar with the passage, but admittingly more familiar with the message; at least the message I've been taught.

The message from these verses in Revelation I have grown up with is that God is our shelter and Jesus is our shepherd and it's only through my steadfast belief in and service to them that I will see heaven. In today's new light I find my focus more on the great multitude standing before the throne.

Maybe it's just where my thoughts are leading me or maybe it's because I'm honestly seeing things anew in my relationship with the bible, but I want to submit to you that the great multitude, a number too great to count, stand in the presence of God as a people who are cleaned of all transgressions. These people come from all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages unified by one thing - the love of God as shown to us by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

You see, as a Christian I firmly believe that when Jesus gave his life for us it was given for all of humanity, not just for the select few who are "believers". To use a more evangelical language the sins of all people were paid for through the blood of Jesus on the cross. The multitude in this passage stand before God as a people who have been through a life on Earth filled with physical, mental, and emotional pain. Their relationships with God, others, and self have been repaired, and now they understand that it's through love a life filled with peace and joy is possible.

In Boston, the multitudes of people who came together to help their neighbors is a perfect example of this love. Whether it's in the story of the doctor who ran in the marathon then ran to the hospital to help in the trauma center, or in the story of the anonymous man who just jumped into the fray to help the first responders clear debris and carry victims, or in the story of the hundreds who donated blood, the multitude unified around one single mission - so that others know love lives.

We don't stand alone in this life. People who love us unconditionally surround us at all times. Don't be afraid to reach out to one of the multitude when you need someone to share your trials. At the same time, don't forget to be the one in the multitude to see when your sister or brother needs help. Jesus lives through us. God's love shines on.