S120P9 – A new family: a new inheritance
1 Pet. 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
When the father died, he left everything he had to his first-born son. That was the son who did everything he asked and who never disappointed or defied him. Of course, the father had other sons as well, so that inheritance became an issue. The first-born son’s brothers felt like they should have received at least something, and many approached him to say that he should share what he had gained. He mulled it over in his head, and one thing kept resurfacing as the motivator behind his decision. He could share with his brothers what he received from his father, but that would mean losing part of what he was given, and he had received only so much.
Jesus is the one who deserves the Father’s inheritance. We do something as simple as believe in him and accept him, and the Father then imputes the worthiness of that first-born Son to us. The Father accepts us in the fold as sons as well, and that means that we share in his great inheritance. There are, however, differences between this inheritance and that which is given by men. The gift passed from the Father to the Son and shared with us is limitless. Jesus can share this inheritance with millions and millions yet still possess it in full. Additionally, He has no desire to hoard this for himself. He agreed with the Father’s plan of redemption and desires that we share in his reward as much as his Father desires it.
When a will goes through probate, there is a legal process for identifying which parties receive which gifts. No matter how much anyone has left after their death, there is a way to tally and total the entire estate. There is always a definite sum that can be computed, and those gifts will waste over time no matter how large or valuable. None are eternal. God’s inheritance is so different not only because it is limitless in size and value but also because it has no end. What we receive is an eternal provision that cannot be exhausted or drained. Jesus shares it with us without suffering loss, and we invite others to share in it without losing a thing. Father, thank You for the limitless and eternal gift You have waiting for your household.