2 Corinthians 4:7–11 (ESV) —
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
NOTE: I've never really thought much about the term "jars of clay." I believe there is a musical group too by that name. It really means weak, frail, and easily breakable. But a clay jar could hold light (a candle or oil), and a whole variety of treasures. We carry within us the Spirit of the Holy God. We are nothing to behold, but within us is a life changing power which is everything to behold. Our jar can be cracked, broken, repaired, and ultimately will completely fall apart. But the life of Jesus manifested in our body can never be destroyed. We are as Paul will say later in the letter, new creatures.
But for now, we live in these cheap earthen vessels that God chose to display his amazing power. But what are we doing? Do we spend our earthly life trying to pretty up a cheap cup? Do we spend life filling it with perishable things that don't truly satisfy? Or, like Paul do we spend and be spent for the sake of Jesus Christ? Again, later in this letter, Paul writes,
2 Corinthians 12:15 (ESV) — I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
Do we have this attitude for the body of Christ? I think too many Christians worry about saving their lives than in giving their lives for the gospel sake.
Philippians 2:17 (ESV) — Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Matthew 10:39 (ESV) — Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
PONDER:
- What is my focus, on self or on others?
- Do I realize that God owns me? He created me, and by Jesus' death he redeem me. In a sense, I was bought twice.
PRAYER: Father, this is a hard concept. The enemy wants us to worry about self. The flesh, our sin nature, also desires to be first. But that should not be our mission. You sent your son to die for our sins so that we could escape this slavery to the devil and flesh, and live a new life for you. Help me to rejoice that my clay jar is still holding up and I can still use it to share true life with others.
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