2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Micah 5:1-7:20 ESV, Revelation 7:1-17 ESV, Psalm 135:1-21 ESV, Proverbs 30:5-6 ESV
Daily Verse: “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” (Revelation 7:13 ESV)
PERIBALLO (4016): “As a verb, (in 23 of the 24 uses) means “to cast around or about, to put on, array,” or, in the middle and passive voices, “to clothe oneself.” It is most frequent in the Apocalypse, where it is found some 12 times.”[1]
Cast around.
John’s unifying vision of people from all tribes and nations standing together as one body in Christ before God creates a picture of heaven. All skin colors, and all ethnicities, united because of the love of Jesus.
Ron and I live in a little piece of heaven on earth, surrounded by neighbors from all different parts of the world. Our pale skin color a minority where we live, and I love the people we get to share our lives with daily. Learning about their different backgrounds and cultures helps me grow and love better.
Love unites.
Hate divides, love unites. Christ brought love into the world that cold morning in the manger. Throughout Jesus’ life, He set an example of how to love. If you spend time with God’s Son by reading the stories written about Him by people who knew Him, you will learn how to love well.
“When you turn people inside out, we all look the same.” Mom
My mother often said those eleven words. Colorblind, my mom loved everyone to the best of her ability. And her wise words speak the truth. We all bleed red, just like Jesus did. Christ clothes us all in the same unconditional love.
Clothed in Christ, we dawn our white robes, everyone equal at the foot of the Cross. How exciting to have people from all over the world worshipping Jesus, loving God and one another.
Following Jesus into eternal life starts when you decide to believe in Him. Rethinking how we think by learning how Jesus thought. Imitating Christ’s actions towards others, loving the people around us to the best of our ability. Staying humble and hungry for more Jesus, less us.
Wrap yourself in Jesus today; let Him clothe you in His grace and mercy. Stand tall, knowing God loves you unconditionally and wants you to live life to the fullest, confident of His affection for you.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 197) Thomas Nelson
