Daily Bread 2 Corinthians 4
Daily Bread
2 Corinthians 4
Treasures in Jars of Clay
1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Observation:
Paul makes it clear that the Christian faith, unlike some of the other Gnostic religions, was not a “secret” cult. When we teach the Word of God, we don’t have to use fancy words or philosophical jargon, but we can set the truth forth plainly. There is nothing secret about the Christian faith. It is a very public faith, where all of its tenets can be laid out for all to see and check out. Some may see these truths and be unaffected, because they are blinded by the gods of our age, ie. materialism, relativism, hedonism
Then Paul uses a fantastic metaphor to explain how when we preach God’s Word, it is not about us. He says that we are just jars of clay that hold the treasure/light. Jars of clay were used to hide something valuable, because if someone was trying to steal they wouldn’t look in something so ordinary. Paul says we are “jars of clay” that look ordinary on the outside, but inside of us is the Good News, which is the light of the world, a most precious jewel.
Paul goes on to say that even if this jar gets old, and sometimes may crack, it will not change the treasure that is inside which will never waste away. And in fact sometimes it is these same cracks that allow the light of Christ to shine in the world.
Application:
Even though we feel like “cracked pots” from time to time, we need to keep our eyes focused not on what is seen, but what is unseen. This world, and even our bodies, will pass away, but the treasure of what we have found in Christ will last forever. As we get discouraged by the things that happen to the jar, remember they are temporary. We should stay focused on what is inside, the treasure.
We should focus less on what is on the outside (the shell/cracked pot) and more on the living gospel that lives inside of each of us. What does that look like for you? What is your story? How has the love of Christ invaded your life? How can he use you/me (fellow cracked pots!) to shine more clearly for Him? Notice God chose to put His treasure (His Son) into our cracked world for all to see His love. But many focus on the jar of clay (the church and its many forms), instead of what is inside. May we be renewed by what is going on inside of us, as we focus on the eternal glory that has been prepared for us one day. Remember the Jar of Clay is temporary, but the Treasure is forever!
Prayer: Gracious God we all get tired of being “cracked pots”. We sometimes wish we could shed this jar of clay, and yet you have deposited this treasure in these jars of clay. Let your light shine through us, even in the places where we are broken/cracked. Allow us to put aside our fears and inadequacies, so you can shine more brightly through us! May we not hoard this treasure you have put in us, but share it with all who will be open to it! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
2 Corinthians 4
Treasures in Jars of Clay
1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Observation:
Paul makes it clear that the Christian faith, unlike some of the other Gnostic religions, was not a “secret” cult. When we teach the Word of God, we don’t have to use fancy words or philosophical jargon, but we can set the truth forth plainly. There is nothing secret about the Christian faith. It is a very public faith, where all of its tenets can be laid out for all to see and check out. Some may see these truths and be unaffected, because they are blinded by the gods of our age, ie. materialism, relativism, hedonism
Then Paul uses a fantastic metaphor to explain how when we preach God’s Word, it is not about us. He says that we are just jars of clay that hold the treasure/light. Jars of clay were used to hide something valuable, because if someone was trying to steal they wouldn’t look in something so ordinary. Paul says we are “jars of clay” that look ordinary on the outside, but inside of us is the Good News, which is the light of the world, a most precious jewel.
Paul goes on to say that even if this jar gets old, and sometimes may crack, it will not change the treasure that is inside which will never waste away. And in fact sometimes it is these same cracks that allow the light of Christ to shine in the world.
Application:
Even though we feel like “cracked pots” from time to time, we need to keep our eyes focused not on what is seen, but what is unseen. This world, and even our bodies, will pass away, but the treasure of what we have found in Christ will last forever. As we get discouraged by the things that happen to the jar, remember they are temporary. We should stay focused on what is inside, the treasure.
We should focus less on what is on the outside (the shell/cracked pot) and more on the living gospel that lives inside of each of us. What does that look like for you? What is your story? How has the love of Christ invaded your life? How can he use you/me (fellow cracked pots!) to shine more clearly for Him? Notice God chose to put His treasure (His Son) into our cracked world for all to see His love. But many focus on the jar of clay (the church and its many forms), instead of what is inside. May we be renewed by what is going on inside of us, as we focus on the eternal glory that has been prepared for us one day. Remember the Jar of Clay is temporary, but the Treasure is forever!
Prayer: Gracious God we all get tired of being “cracked pots”. We sometimes wish we could shed this jar of clay, and yet you have deposited this treasure in these jars of clay. Let your light shine through us, even in the places where we are broken/cracked. Allow us to put aside our fears and inadequacies, so you can shine more brightly through us! May we not hoard this treasure you have put in us, but share it with all who will be open to it! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment