The Hand of Friendship

[The Great Multitude in White Robes] 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 in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

- Revelation 7:9

I sat down with God's people and collected myself for worship. Out of the corner of my eye I caught an old friend almost gasping for air in excitement as his eyes met mine. He rose to his feet and unapologetically climbed over others to sit beside me and give me his characteristic bear hug, cheek to cheek. 

As we worshipped God with abandon, I looked down and realized he was turned the other way, facing the latecomers as they walked in as unobtrusively as possible. He stuck out his hand to each one for a warm, extended handshake, pointing persistently at the seat next to him, but much to his disappointment, the strangers all shrugged their shoulders regretfully, pointing to a chair ahead, and disappearing back into the crowd. 

He refused to give up and continued to shake strangers hands as the mixed diversity of his company of friends grew, "from every nation, tribe, people and language." The world had arrived at his doorstep, and he was the first to open the door into the throne room of God for all to enter in.

Finally, a couple of men from Jamaica, as it turned out, sat down with us, much to his satisfaction. He clasped their hands with a firm, bracing handshake, and turned to me and smiled, pointing back at them until he was sure I understood the significance of the moment. I nodded and smiled, extending my hand in friendship.