1 Peter 1:4(b)-5 — Funeral Time

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jason sat on the bench next to the brick wall. He looked dejected. His shoulders slumped over resting on elbows supported by knees. His hands dangled.

Arthur Throckmorton III stood for a moment looking at the young man. He was only twenty years old but today he looked all of thirty. His grandfather had died two weeks ago and had been all the family Jason had known. Arthur had helped Jason with the funeral arrangements. Arthur was more than Jason’s attorney. He was also his friend. He had known Jason’s grandfather for more than fifty years and had known Jason all his life. He sat down next to Jason on the bench.

Jason heard his grandfather’s old friend sit down next to him, but he didn’t look up. Instead, he drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Arthur sat quietly, sitting straight-backed, hands resting on his knees. The old attorney wore his black suit well. The white shirt was well pressed, and the cuffs held in place by old fashioned cufflinks. He stared out from the shade of the wall and looked out over the churchyard.

Jason slowly sat up. His blue eyes were rimmed in red. He didn’t look at the older man sitting by his side but followed his gaze and looked out into the sunshine.

“What am I going to do?” he asked.

Arthur smiled a gentle smile. He knew what the young man meant. It wasn’t so much where he would live, his grandfather had taken care of that. It had more to do with how he would live. His grandfather had been his guide, his guardian, and his family. The words of 1 Peter came to mind:

”This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

“Jason,” he began, “your grandfather left you an inheritance here on earth, but you also have one waiting in heaven. Your faith is the same as your grandfather’s faith. You are both shielded by God’s power. God didn’t abandon your grandfather and he won’t abandon you.”

Jason was quiet. Arthur Throckmorton III was quiet, too. He thought about the rest of the verse; “… until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

The inheritance coming to Jason was a small plot of land and an old house. His grandfather had put some money aside for him. As generous as this was, it seemed like a pittance compared to the treasure of being in heaven with our Father, God. The days were getting short, too. The last days prophesied about in the Bible are very close. Jason might personally live to see the salvation of God revealed at last.

Jason sat up straighter. Then he stood. He looked down at the old attorney and said, “Thank you. I know you are right. I have seen God’s hand in my life too many times to doubt. Grandfather taught me well.”

The older man stood up slowly and smiled at the young man. Without any more words, they both turned and walked side by side back into the church.

Application: Fear not. You are shielded by God’s power, the day of His salvation is coming, and you have an inheritance waiting for you.

Food for Thought: What is included in this inheritance Peter is writing about?