Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—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 (1 Pet 1:3-5).

If there is an earthly inheritance in this world that people seek, such as houses and land, there is also a heavenly inheritance that all spiritual beings seek. Whatever people value, they seek it. If they do not see any value to it, they do not seek it. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. A problem comes when the things we seek do not really have the value we think they do. The Bible says that those who are born of God have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven.” That means that the inheritance kept on earth perishes, spoils and fades.

All humans were created as heirs of such an imperishable heavenly inheritance—with all the spiritual authority and power. But when we sinned, the thief robbed us of such an inheritance. Think why the thief, Satan, wanted to steal it from us so badly. Because it was so valuable!

After sin came into this world, we were all brainwashed into thinking that the earthly things are the only valuable things we should seek: we lost the eyes to see the value of spiritual things. Jesus said to those who came to follow him after they ate a free meal, which he gave by multiplying from five loaves of bread and two fish.

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval (John 6:27).

There is “food that spoils,” and there is also “food that endures to eternal life.” The question is: which food are we working for? If the food we work for spoils and perishes, our work is wasted. But if the food we work for is genuine and imperishable, our work remains, and we are rewarded for it.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Mat 13:44-46).

Blessed are those who see the value of this treasure! Blessed are those who have eyes to see the value of these pearls! Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, came to die just to give us this treasure and these pearls. Think how valuable they are, and such is the inheritance we came to receive as heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ.

Read again the last speech of Jesus in John 13ff with the eyes to see the value of such an inheritance “that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you.” You will sense more what was in Jesus’ heart when he spoke these words: how valuable is the inheritance we have received though his death and resurrection, and how precious are we now to him as those given to him!

Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him (John 17:1-2).