In between services last Sunday I was invited to join a Bible Study class. Eleven of us sat in armchairs in a circle and discussed the topic of Easter - what did it mean for us? Each one spoke about the difference Easter had made - and was making - to their life.

To the one whose mother had died two weeks ago, she was hopeful that Jesus’ resurrection was the forerunner to her mother’s own. There was no denying her grief, but this was tempered by the joy of Jesus’ gift of new life. Her faith had given her strength and hope. 

Another member was unexpectedly forthright. She asked “So what?” Our backs stiffened. She continued, “I don’t want to waste what Jesus has given me. But what is it that he has given me?” We relaxed as we realized she was genuinely asking to receive the fulness of understanding. The group leader suggested reading the second lesson for that day, from 1 Peter. It includes this sentence:

“By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

I wondered aloud if we couldn’t receive some of this inheritance now? That raised another question: what is our inheritance? We associate the word with receiving the assets of a parent recently deceased, although in theory we can inherit from anyone. In Jesus’ case, what is his inheritance to us? Being homeless and penniless at death meant that Jesus had nothing material to bestow upon us. His inheritance was of a different kind.

Here I am tempted to make of list of what we have received from Jesus, but in fact that would be a mistake - like an executor reading from a list of assets and bank balances. In our circular Bible Study group, it was clear that each of us had received gifts from Jesus according to our personal needs, even if that need was simply a wish to know more. Our common inheritance was Jesus' victory over death. Now it was up to each one of us to work out what we had received personally, as individuals.

Jesus’ inheritance is, thankfully, not a one-off gift. It flows continuously like a stream of water into the crevices of our lives and over the barriers we sometimes erect to keep him out. If we are to receive it however, we must qualify as heirs. Those who love Jesus as a brother and friend will receive the greater benefit.

Father David