Jesus as the Heir of All Things
When our parents pass away, most of us receive something of an inheritance. Even if our parents had little wealth, a few personal items are usually divided up among the children. I have a few tools that belonged to my father. It always gives me pleasure when I use them, because they remind me of him and my childhood days as I worked alongside him on the farm. At the time, I didn’t much enjoy working with my dad, but looking back, I do. My other brothers and sisters also have a few things that belonged to our parents and when I visit them, sometimes I spot something that I recognize. I think its fair to say that most of us have some expectation of receiving some kind of inheritance.
Over the years, I’ve met several people who have received an inheritance they weren’t expecting. Sometimes, this seems random. Perhaps an aunt or uncle chooses a few nephews and nieces to share their inheritance. Maybe a special friend or care-giver is remembered in a will - to the pleasant surprise of the beneficiary. At the other end of the spectrum are the unpleasant surprises. Some children, expecting to receive an inheritance, discover to their dismay that nothing is forthcoming.
Then there are situations where someone uses an inheritance to benefit others. These generous souls use their sudden wealth to help and encourage their friends. I suppose some of us have imagined receiving a large bequest so we could surprise our friends with our unexpected generosity. Probably more of us have imagined using such a bequest for our own benefit. At any rate, while a death brings the sting of personal loss, sometimes it also brings a material benefit. Most heirs experience both sides of this.
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as an heir in several passages. In a parable recorded in Luke 20, Jesus pictures Himself as the son and heir of the Lord of the Vineyard. When his father sent him to collect the rent, the tenant workers who wanted control of the vineyard for themselves, abused and eventually murdered him. This story was so pointed that it triggered the religious leaders of the day to try to kill Him.
Then, in the opening words of the letter to the Hebrews, we find these words: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” This emphasizes Jesus position as the Son of God. More in the past than the present, the eldest son of a family has been identified as “the heir.” This was particularly true of the passing on of a title along with an estate.
Jesus is “the heir” in the sense that He has the unique place of being the “Son of God.” When Jesus was raised from the dead, He received again all of the glory which had been his formerly, yet now with the additional role of being our redeemer. Because of these two facts - his being "heir of all things," and our redeemer - something changes for us.
In Romans 8, Paul wrote: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ...” [Romans 8:17 NIV] Then, in Galatians 3 and 4 we find statements like: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. [Galatians 3:29 NIV] And “You are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” [Galatians 4:7] and to his young friend and co-worker Titus he wrote: “when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.] [Titus 3:7]
Jesus was the heir of God in the sense that He shared God’s title and estate. Then, because of His death on the cross, He opened the way for us to share that as well. This is so unlike us. We love to maintain our honours, our position, our influence, our fame for ourselves. God shares His with those who love Him. Now we are described as being the children and heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus.
When I think of Jesus as the Heir of All Things, I am reminded first of his deity, then of the fact that through His own death, He has made it possible for me to share in His inheritance. Specifically, I think that heirs receive their inheritance entirely through the good will of the person who leaves it for them. What qualifies you for an inheritance is the disposition of the friend or relative who remembers you in his or her will. In this way, the salvation I enjoy today springs from the grace, mercy and love of God, not from anything I am or might do.
Ron Hughes
© July 2006
