Jars of Clay - 2 Corinthians 4

This morning a few things hit me, kind of out of left field. I will start with Paul, and who he was. Today, it hit me that Paul was poor, broken, homeless for the most part, a laborer, and constantly navigating suffering and persecution. As I process this, I honestly ask myself, would I follow this guy? His words are so powerful, and I love his writings and wisdom, but putting myself in these words and letters I am convicted by what our world tells us is worthy and honorable. 

As I reflect on those not honoring thoughts, I can see how the Corinthians found themselves where they were. Here in 2 Cor 4, Paul opens the chapter focused back on ministry and what it is leading a church. 

“Therefore, since through God’s mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, 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 everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Pauls does this because other preachers in the area were rising up and were better looking, better speakers, wore nicer clothes and more put together. But Paul was reminding them that all that surface stuff doesn’t matter, that the key is bringing God’s message and Word clearly and not distorting or using deception. This message still rings true today, in a world full of shiny things, we need the truth of Jesus. 

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” -2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The message is not our message, and the message is Jesus Christ alone. But here is the kicker - God uses us, the broken and flawed sinner. It’s not about the outside worldly wrapper, and it is about the transformed inner heart that can only be because of God’s glory.

“For 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 God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wow! Takes us back to the creation story, in the beginning, God created all things, but before light things were formless and empty. The light was good, God said, and He separated it from the darkness. That is our lives! We are formless and empty, a jar of clay. 

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The treasure of God’s light, His glory is stored inside this empty and formless jar of clay! This is a way to see and show others the power and glory of God. Not in our ability, but in Christ’s alone. 

Paul then goes back into reminder mode and making sure the Corinthians understood this glory, and the miracle of light does not mean a life free of suffering and challenges.

“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.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This side of heaven may be hard, but we are not crushed. We are more than conquerors! I read this and translate it to hold our head up, and know that our savior walked through more than we could ever fathom. The power of Jesus is alive in you and me. 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We may be a jar of clay, eroding, chipped, cracked, and broken; but on the inside, we are being RENEWED DAY BY DAY! 

Let us walk away with this. Today, may we not fix our eyes on the things around us, our circumstances or situations at hand. Move past the troubles and issues of this world, and fix our eyes on Jesus. The unseen and eternal things that matter. Let’s not miss that each day we must be renewed, what are we doing to renew ourselves daily? Start now!