When somebody dies, it is customary that their children receive an inheritance. This usually includes property, possessions, or sometimes money depending on how well the deceased did in life. Whatever the case, it is rare that their children don’t receive something as a token of their parent’s life and death.

The downside to this is that earthly inheritances are, well…earthly. As it says in Ecclesiastes 5:14  “those riches perish…”, and will probably end up being passed down to our children when we die. On the other hand, however, we as Christians have received and inheritance that is far better than any earthly treasure.

Through the death and resurrection of our Lord, He secured for us the promise of eternal life. This is our inheritance. And though there are a number of things that come along with it, nothing else could be of more value. Streets of gold, gates of pearl, a crown of life…while all part of our inheritance, none of those things would be very meaningful if you only got to enjoy them for a short time. Eternal life means that we get to enjoy all the glory of heaven for ever and ever. 10,000 years with our Lord isn’t even a drop in the ocean in contrast with eternity, and the concept of time will vanish from memory as we enjoy all God has has prepared for us.

“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.”

                                                     -Hebrews 9:16-17

In our culture, somebody has to die before any inheritances are given or any wills enforced. In the same way, the death of Christ was a necessary part of us receiving everlasting life. Without His death, we would still be dead in sin. But through His death, we can be made alive. What an inheritance!

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

                  -I Peter 1:3-4