Earthen Vessels

Scripture:  II Corinthians 4:6-10 - For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

The treasure that Paul described in II Corinthians 4:7 (we know from II Corinthians 4:6), is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God – in the face of Jesus Christ.  Paul described God as shining His light into Paul’s heart, -- revealing His glory to Paul through faith in Christ.  Paul saw with spiritual eyes what he had never seen/understood before.  God keeps this treasure of the light of His glory in Christ in fragile jars of clay.  Clay jars were included in nearly every aspect of the life of Paul’s day.  They were efficient containers, but also prone to breaking easily.  People today tend to think of glass jars as fragile, but glass jars are more sturdy than clay jars.  God deliberately chose something fragile or unimpressive.  God keeps this great treasure in such a vulnerable/fragile container, because He wants to show that the power of His glory is from Him.  He left no room for us to believe that power came from Paul or us.  God displays His limitless power and glory – distributing it in limited human vessels.  Paul, and others who preached the gospel, suffered enormously, but God kept them from being done away with.  They didn’t quit because they knew that even after they died, they would be resurrected as Christ was resurrected – and that they would be with Jesus in Heaven one day!  II Corinthians 4:17 says “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”  

Aren’t you glad that the things that we endure won’t last forever!  II Corinthians 4:8-10  says “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”  We are reminded of our inadequacy and His sufficiency.  We shouldn’t be discouraged by the difficulties that we face in our daily lives.  Our difficulties provide the vehicle through which He can manifest His power.  Never give up.  Trust/depend on God’s power within you.  

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  I am honored to be used by you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ – who has unlimited power.  I will always give You the glory for what You do through me.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)