If I asked you to accompany me on a journey - and you were inclined to go with me - I'm sure you'd ask me: Where are we going? How are we going? and Will it be worthwhile making the trip?

Suppose I proposed going overland to Lhasa - or Timbuktu! You would look at my car and weigh up the chances of success! And if I were to turn up in an old banger, you might very well turn the trip down! You could very well ask if Lhasa or Timbuktu were really so exciting - and would it be worth the expense, and the hazards en route. And if I were to suggest that it might mean hiking over mountains or across desert part of the way - you might well query whether you or I were physically fit enough for the journey.

Well, what journey am I actually proposing? Let's remind ourselves that we're thinking about Peter's letter, written long ago to young Christians in what is today, Turkey - but which is, in fact, also our Lord's letter to us, right now, in Grenoble. Here is what he writes:

''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...''

Since Peter is writing to Christians - he's speaking to those of us who've set out on the journey of a lifetime - for it's going to take the rest of our lives to complete - it's a journey to heaven. Already we're convinced our destination is worth the cost, the hazards and the privations of the journey. Above all, we're convinced the means of getting there are reliable - because our Lord himself has pioneered the way for us, and he's going to accompany us all the way! (Heb 2:10, 12:2 RSV; Matt 28:20)

But some of us feel very unfit for the journey. No doubt we're wanting to make it as comfortably as possible! Others may have doubts about what we've let ourselves in for - either on the way, or at journey's end - and whether we shall really make heaven at last.

Peter writes to encourage us - because he knows the hazards - and the hostile treatment we shall encounter on the way. He knows these mean that this journey will take all we've got, and that we shall have to jettison all our excess baggage, if we're going to make it. So he wants us to be sure of our destination - that it is utterly worthwhile - and that we may travel with whole-hearted confidence. Peter writes out of his own experience - but he uses US and YOU instead of ME - knowing that we too can experience the same assurance.

Peter remembers with ever fresh recall the shattering effect upon him of that first Easter. Before it - the empty boast, the sickening fear, the shameful denial and bitter remorse - the horrible reality of the Master's death, the grief and despair - and after it, the bewilderment of that race to the empty tomb, the amazement of the women's report. Then the confrontation of sorrow and joy in the presence of the risen Lord - the inexpressible joy of a forgiven past - the explosive joy of an incredible hope that outshone the sun - as the significance of our Lord's resurrection sunk into heart and mind.

Is it then any wonder that Peter begins his letter proper, with these words of verses 3 & 4? - words of such praise and thanksgiving! The one sentence - for that is what it is in the Greek - continues through to the end of verse 5 - but that is enough for today! Let's look at the 3 connected phrases: a new birth (it could mean birth from above), which Peter says we Christians have experienced, so as to bring us into a living hope and an inheritance kept in heaven for you.

A New Birth

I've no doubt that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead - experienced with total certainty and piercing recollection - would leave a mark on any man or woman to their dying day - and utterly alter the course of their life. So that Peter can only describe it as a new birth. The old shame and remorse, the old regret and despair were forever overwhelmed by this release into a new life, a new beginning.

But what Peter experienced - and what we may experience, for ourselves - is something greater and more wonderful than even this! For the Peter that wrote this letter had not merely been a witness to Jesus' resurrection - he had participated in it! The old self-confident, self-willed Peter had died - and a new Peter - trustful and obedient - had arisen, with the very risen life of Jesus within him.

Even the experience of being a witness wouldn't have been enough for the journey. Peter, and all of us, need new life within - life from above. Just as Jesus told Nicodemus, No-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again - born from above. (John 3:3)

Our natural birth gives us flesh and blood - but these cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50; John 3:5-7). We cannot get to heaven as we are in ourselves. Flesh and blood are subject to death and decay - because already contaminated by sin and self. (Rom 3:23; 6:23) They can have no place where there is no sin, no death, no decay. Our only hope lies in Jesus' death for our sins - and his risen life, made available to us.

And they are available. To all who - doubtless like Peter himself - fall at Jesus' feet in true repentance and humble trust - and ask for his forgiveness and restoration to new life. (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 1:9)

So I ask - are you in earnest about that journey of a lifetime? Have you knelt before Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, thanking him for dying for you, asking him to forgive you and to come into your life? If you or I have - or if we do - we have his promise that he will come in and change us (Rev 3:20; Jn 4:10,14). Then we come to understand what it means to have a living hope and a heavenly inheritance - better than any words of mine.

A Living Hope

What does Peter mean by a living hope? Perhaps it will help if we first think about the hopes of men and women who may not have Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

What do men and women hope for? Good health and long life? A satisfying job, a successful career, reputation and influence? Money and all that money can buy? The pleasures of table and bed? Congenial companionship through life, a family to be proud of? For a while some may achieve their heart's desire. For most of us, some such hopes are dashed, or never materialise. For all of us, such hopes do not last, or give us all they promise.

Men will venture health, money and ease upon their hopes - hopes of making a fortune, winning power or fame. But all their hopes are uncertain. And there is a worm that spoils all men's hopes. Their crowning hopes prove hollow and dissatisfying; fortunes bring burdens, fears and envy; relationships can lack love, turn sour and bring no peace. Why? Because the worm of sin within us, brings disappointment, decay, and destruction.

Such hopes of ours can mock us - and we are humbled by our failure and lack of judgement. Our hopes deceive us - and become dead hopes. We have to bury them - or our hopes are buried with us, when we can have them no more.

But a living hope is an undying hope. It endures forever. It comforts and strengthens us throughout this life, and will not die, even at our death. And it is a certain hope - because it rests on the truth of Christ's resurrection. It's a living hope because it unites us to the Living Christ, who is the source of eternal life.

A Heavenly Inheritance

What does that living hope look forward to? Our salvation, a wonderful and glorious journey's end. Peter describes it by saying we've become heirs, awaiting a great inheritance.
If you were told someone had died and left you something in a will - you would ask - What is it? Am I sure to get it? And when will that be?

Heaven is at journey's end - but we lack experience of it, to describe it. But we know that we go to be with our Lord Jesus Christ himself - we have his certain promise! (Luke 23:43; John 6:37,40; Rev 3:20,21)) - and that tells us all we really need to know. Peter does his best by saying what our inheritance is not, using three lovely adjectives, which the NIV translates as: it can never perish, never spoil, never fade.

Never perish

Most things we inherit from human wills are subject to destruction or loss. Great houses can fall into disrepair and ruin. Even lands can become impoverished. Fortunes can be gambled away or stolen. Priceless objects can be broken or deteriorate with time.

I know of a vicar who had a precious collection of Penny Blacks, (the first postage stamps), which he proudly showed to others. As he became old his sight began to fail, and his needs increased. He tried to sell his collection - but without success. In fact, although he couldn't see it, the stamps had become damaged by mould - but no-one had had the heart to tell him.

Jesus tells us not to keep treasure here, where we can lose it - but to have treasure in heaven, where we can never lose it. (Matt 6:19,20) And the most certain treasure there - is Jesus himself!

Never spoil

Our heavenly heritage can never spoil - and it's unsoiled, it's perfect, without any stain. Human treasure has rarely been acquired without sin. Too often it has been accumulated through selfish greed, unjust dealing or violent cruelty, so that it's not free from taint. And like soot or tar, it's very hard to handle without getting soiled yourself. But our heavenly inheritance was won through the deepest love and the mightiest sacrifice. We're only given a taste of it here - but even that fills us with love and sacrifice for others. Far from defiling us, this inheritance purifies us!

Never fade

Our heavenly inheritance can never wither or fade away. Later in this letter Peter speaks of our receiving, when the Lord appears, the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Pet 5:4) The word for crown, that Peter uses (stephanos), is the victor's crown - symbol of triumph in the athletic games - or token of public honour for distinguished service, especially at the arrival of the Emperor on a royal visit. It was woven as a garland - of oak, ivy, myrtle or olive. But such earthly garlands would wither and fade.

So do all earthly honours - whether bestowed as a birthright, or awarded later - for we ourselves are here today and gone tomorrow. A courtier once sought to please a king of Spain, by saying he wished all kings were immortal. The king wisely replied, If that were so, I should never have been king! Death takes us from all honours, all powers, all possessions. These things fade - and so do we.

But if we have received eternal life (John 5:24) - we have received an unfading inheritance - free from all sorrow and loss. Here we may experience times of closeness to Christ - but even the best saint has times of distance and darkness. But in heaven there will be no cloud between our Sun (Mal 4:2; Rev 1:16) and ourselves. We shall see him in his full brightness for ever. Here we tire after an hour of worship - but there it will be a delight to praise and serve him for ever.

If that is our inheritance that lies at journey's end - you may still be asking, Am I sure to get it? To which we must reply - our inheritance, if we belong to Jesus Christ, is as certain as God himself, who raised Jesus from the dead, and sat him at his own right hand (Acts 2:32,33; Eph 1:20-22). For those who belong to Jesus are united with him by the Holy Spirit (John 14:20; Eph 3:16,17). And he is the very first sheaf of the future harvest! (1 Cor 15:20-22; Matt 25:34)

Already we have died with Jesus to our past life, and been raised spiritually with him to new life (Eph 2:5; Col 2:12,13; 3:1). And, as a guarantee and down payment of our future inheritance (Eph 1:14), we have each been given the indwelling presence of God's Spirit! As Paul says, If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.. (Rom 8:9b,11)

As for When? - our inheritance is being kept until the day that God judges we are ready to receive it! Meanwhile it is being kept in heaven - reserved for us!

So what should be our response, here and now? Will we lag behind the worldly man who invests time, money, health and I know not what else - on an uncertain gamble, for uncertain riches?

Have you and I trusted Christ to rescue us from future judgement, and to bring us to heaven? Then let's prove it, by acting on it right now! Let's be ready to do what Christ asks us to do, and stop doing what he forbids us doing. A rich man who has confidence in his riches, acts with confidence, doesn't he? You see the evidence of that in his life-style. If we have ventured all on Christ - we are eternally rich. Our inheritance is being kept for us where none can steal it. It cannot be lost to fire, flood or storm. It is kept where no enemy can invade.

Best of all - you and I are being guarded throughout life by God's power until Christ comes... but that lies in next week's reading!

Now - are you already on this journey with me - or will you come with me? It is a journey of a lifetime - but praise to our God! - it is a journey to Christ, a journey with Christ, a journey Christ has pioneered for us.

                                                                                            Amen.