Treasure in Clay Jars

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (ESV)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to 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 manifested in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Devotion:

            In this devotion we are going to look at the contrast between the light of the gospel in Jesus Christ and the weakness of those of us who believe. The treasure which verse 7 mentions is that gospel light. It is full of the glory of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is the light which every believer is to shine into the dark and dangerous places in this world. And it is this light alone that God wants to shine in the world. The believer is to get none of the glory.

            Clay jars were in Paul’s day the cheapest form of container available. They could not be repaired or recycled so they were simply discarded when they became broken. The most common type of clay jar was the lamp into which one poured oil to give light in the darkness. This may be what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words. The jar was worthless without the light that was shown from it. So, Paul is stressing here that he would be worthless except for the gospel he had been given to preach.

            In the following two verses 8-9 Paul mentions in general terms the hardships to which he has been subjected to for the gospel. Paul goes into detail on these hardships later in the letter (see 2 Corinthians 11:22-33). Here he is just making the point that it is because of the gospel that Paul has not been destroyed. In his flesh he has been subjected to all kinds of hardships and disasters, but he has survived thanks to Jesus and his gospel light. So, today the church has been subjected to many hardships. Most recently the global pandemic has challenged churches around the world. We have been subject to prohibitions of assembly, the illness itself, and many other hardships, however we have saved only by the gospel of Jesus our Lord and savior.

            Therefore, Paul continues in verses 10-12 by saying that it is through the death of Jesus and the power of his resurrection that we believers carry with us that others have been saved. It only through death of Jesus that the life of Jesus has been made known to the world. It is only by the weakness of our flesh that the life-giving spirit of Jesus has been made known. We can take none of the glory.

Prayer:

            All glory to you O God! You are greatly to be praised! Although we suffer through various hardships and calamities the light of your gospel shines brightly through us. Thank you for sending Jesus to save our weak and frail flesh. We give you all the thanks and glory for you alone are worthy to be praised. Amen.