March 19, 2021
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us… So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:7,16
Paul draws on the imagery of clay jars with all their imperfections as God’s chosen vessels to embody the treasure of our Gospel. Between these verses, he poetically describes the afflictions he and others have encountered for the benefit of their onlookers, that their suffering would reveal God’s grace and spur thanksgiving to the glory of God. For this reason, the apostles do not lose heart as their temporal bodies continue to decline because their spirits are even more so being strengthened day by day.
Crackpot humans following the way of a Suffering Servant—this is certainly not the way of the world. But for onlookers who know that they too are crackpots, the glimmering light of Christ that shines through our cracks is alluring.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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