The heirloom
‘I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They have obeyed your word, and now they know that everything you gave me comes from you. I gave them the message that you gave me, and they received it; they know that it is true that I came from you, and they believe that you sent me.’ (verses 6-8)
Read John 17:1-11
It was an exquisite golden necklace, kept in the family for generations. Originally purchased in Europe, it had travelled out to Australia with the first settlers and was now a precious heirloom. The eldest of each generation entrusted it to the eldest of the next. Now it was John’s turn, and as he received it from his dying mother, alongside of him stood little Susie, its next custodian.
You and I are custodians of an heirloom far more precious than any necklace. Ours is a treasure which cannot be seen or touched; it can only be known. That treasure is God’s love and forgiveness and acceptance of us in Jesus.
This heirloom originated with God. God hands it on to Jesus. Jesus passes it to the world. His followers in the world have passed it on to others. And today you and I are custodians of the message and truth we know in Jesus.
And us? What shall we do with that heirloom? Pass it on, for heaven’s sake!
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your treasures to me. Keep me faithful in my caring and sharing of them. Amen.
by Bob Kempe, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)
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