We have this treasure in clay jars (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)
4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence.15 Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
–2 Corinthians 4:1-15 (NRSV)
This past week has been incredibly difficult for many members of our church. In the last few days we have experienced the death of two pillars of our congregation. Over the years both individuals were been deeply involved in leadership, teaching, and ministry. Nearly everyone in the church has a story about how they were affected by the love and faithfulness of those we lost. Many of those stories were shared at the back to back funerals we had. Some of those stories were humorous. Some were not. However, all of them were a glimpse of the amazing things that God does in the lives of ordinary believers.
In 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 Paul reminds the church that his ministry was not about him. It was about the glory of Christ working through an fragile human being. He used the metaphor of “treasure in clay jars” to describe the fact that something as incredible as the Gospel of Jesus was entrusted to people like you and I. He acknowledges that there is a lot in world that can leave us cracked or destroyed. To pretend otherwise is sheer foolishness. This week in the life of our church was a demonstration of just how easily we can find ourselves broken.
The good news, however, is that our fragility is not the end of the story. We are fragile, but the treasure inside us allows shine in the darkness. Christ’s love for us will never be completely crushed. Even when persecution comes, God’s purposes will never be completely struck down. Grace will abound.
God’s grace abounded this week as the members of this church rallied around the families of those we lost. Through things as tangible as a baked ham and potato casserole, to things as abstract as prayer and sympathy, the people of this church showed what love and compassion truly look like. Through cracked pots like us, Jesus was able to work. In the midst of darkness and grief the light of Christ was able to shine. For that kind of grace we can respond with thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
