TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. Revelation 7:9a
Read: Revelation 7:9
Listen: Revelation 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
We see the thread of God’s love for everybody in Scripture from cover to cover. God calls Abraham, promises to make him a great nation and to bless all people on earth through him (Genesis 12:3). Jesus prepares to return to heaven and commands his disciples to take his teachings and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The Bible concludes with the prophecy that every nation, tribe, people and language will stand before Jesus’ throne in worship (Revelation 7:9a). God’s desire has always been to reach all people.
Although God’s heart has always been for everybody, it took extraordinary circumstances to move the early church out of their comfort zone to reach people who were different from them. They left Jerusalem and spread the message of Jesus into Samaria, home to their sworn enemies. They moved even further outside Israel into the greater world, building relationships with people they’d previously been unable to even share a meal with.
God cares for and pursues a relationship with people from all backgrounds, beliefs and upbringings. We reflect his heart when we do too. Jesus desires his church to include every color, language, culture and ethnicity. Through him, we can have diversity-living-in-unity.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Ask God to help our Christian community lean in and pursue conversations and relationships with people who are different than us. Confess that the church hasn’t always done diversity or unity well, and ask for his help to reach people from all backgrounds with the love and good news of Jesus.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
