Jars of Clay
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For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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.
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.
Light in the Darkness
Light in the Darkness
God built light into creation.
Light in Our Hearts
Light in Our Hearts
God has done it—a gift of grace. That light shined in our lives before we understood any of it.
God’s Glory Displayed
God’s Glory Displayed
in the face of Christ
It is a treasure beyond measure. Coming to know and understand who Jesus is and therefore so much more about who God is. There’s no doubt now that God is love. There’s no doubt that God is holy and just. This light changes everything about the world and most especially about us.
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
But this treasure is not found in golden box with fancy trim. We carry this treasure in jars of clay. We live in a body.
That means at least two things:
We are fragile
We are fragile
We suffer. We have to care for our bodies as best we can. To do anything important in life you have to push the limits a little. The other people watching us will always have opinions about what we should be doing. This is especially true of leaders. Everyone thinks they know what a leader should be doing. But very few people actually have enough information to make a solid judgment. But they go ahead and do it anyway. Paul gives us a litany of human suffering and misunderstanding. Paul, perhaps the most criticized leader besides Jesus, didn’t always have a lot to show for his efforts. People accused him of being ineffective. People said his physical suffering was a sign of something he was doing wrong. People said he wasn’t a good preacher. People held his past against him. These things could have made him bitter. But God used all of them to make him better. Paul is teaching us that what redeems all these frustrating things is the humility. When we are humble we can be authentic.
We can be authentic
We can be authentic
When you are authentic you’re not putting on heirs. When you’re authentic the lines show. When you’re authentic, who you really are shows through. This means your flaws will sometimes be on display. Maybe you’re a little cranky when you don’t get enough rest. But if you’re tired from serving others then you’re cranky for a good reason. Now don’t be cranky. But do serve others enough that you’re a little tired from it. Sometimes we think we have to have all the answers. But sometimes we have no idea why something happens. We should not pretend we know. We polish up the outside as much as we want. But we might as well just be real. Because the outside can never compete with what’s inside.
It’s what’s inside that counts
It’s what’s inside that counts
Our genuine character is formed over time by our experiences, how we respond to them spiritually, and the light of God shining in our darkness. We are constantly making choices. It’s a key part of what makes us human. But what makes us holy is if we let God be in charge of how we respond. God is shining light. God is pouring in treasure—revelation about who Jesus is and what we can learn from reading his words and living the life of service he called us to—grace that is sufficient to deal with our sufferings (and boy does he understand suffering)—strength to overcome and help others. This is a treasure.
Is your jar full of treasure?
Is your jar full of treasure?
Are you just a crack pot or are you cracked pot filled with so much more? All of us will die one day. We carry this knowledge in various ways. One way is to live in fear of it every waking moment. But that’s a waste. One is by pretending it’s never gonna happen and never counting our days or counting the cost. But that’s insane. The best way to deal with our mortality is to remember that Jesus already died for us. So there’s really nothing anyone can do to us that matters. I’m gonna die some day but since Jesus already died for me I can walk in newness of life. Looking at Jesus on the Cross we can’t pretend death isn’t real. But looking at Jesus off the cross we can’t pretend that death is truly the end anymore. Paul says:
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.
And sometimes, somehow the experiences we go through are for the benefit of others.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
I think this is true of parents sometimes. You die a thousand deaths for your child to have a good life. It’s true in discipleship. You give up your time and energy and share your spiritual knowledge and experience so someone else can grow. It happens in friendships, although true friends don’t let it always be one sided.
So you live in a body. Sometimes it feels great! Sometimes it really stinks. But somehow Jesus can be seen in all of it. Today, we come to the table of grace. One more opportunity to see and experience the risen Jesus. One more chance to let light shine into darkness. One more time God can pour treasure into our jar. It’s what’s inside that counts. What’s inside your jar?
As we come to the Table remember that this feast is for his disciples. It doesn’t mean you have to have it all together. But it does mean that you’re dealing with the sin problem. Human beings sin—that means they do things that harm themselves or others or things that are in disobedience to God’s commands. We all have a conscience so we all know when we’ve done wrong. Disciples of Jesus have admitted this. They don’t make excuses. They confess their sins to God. The cross is a common symbol. But it’s also where Jesus died for us so that we could be forgiven and restored. Jesus then commanded us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. That means after we confess our sins we commit to lives shaped by the cross. Lives of service and love. This is following Jesus. If you’re already living this reality then this meal is for you.
If you’re ready to begin now, then confess your sins to God. Put your trust in Jesus and his death on the cross. Begin to follow. Let your first steps of following Him be to come to the table.