2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (NIV)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Paul uses a strong series of images to shine forth a great, divine truth. As Christians we each have the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us every moment. In Peter, for example, it was so strong that people sat along the roadsides where he was sure to pass by in the hopes that his mere shadow would fall on them and provide the miracle that they needed (Acts 5:15). In Paul, it was so strong that handkerchiefs that he had wiped his brow with and aprons he had worn while doing leatherwork were taken to the sick and demon possessed, and they were made whole (Acts 19:11-12). That kind of power could easily move people to worship these Christians, causing them to think of themselves more highly than they should, and even causing them to fall away. But all those whom God used in powerful ways knew that they were mere men, clay jars whose worth was not in themselves, but in the treasure they held.
And it was that hidden treasure that provided a solid testimony when they were persecuted and mistreated. A simple clay jar that will not break when pounded with hammers would be suspected of having incredibly strong stuff inside. Likewise, when the Christians were persecuted, beaten, tortured, and even killed, their strength and stamina caused many around them to wonder what it was inside them that gave them that strength, since they were obviously normal men and women. And many turned to Jesus because of that testimony.
Father, even those in the medical profession have testified that there is a profound difference in the way that suffering, pain, and even dying are experienced by those who have faith in Jesus compared to those who professed no such faith. Even though all humans are made of the same earthly stuff, Your presence infusing those who have faith in Jesus gives all of us amazing strength and power to face suffering with dignity and hope — a powerful testimony to the reality of that which we profess. Lord, far too many of Your people end up focusing on the fact that we are clay jars, and forget the powerful treasure we hold within, if we belong to You. Help us all to live out that truth every day like Peter, like Paul, like so many in the early Church, so that You are continually glorified and us no matter what. Amen.
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