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TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS
MONDAY, JANUARY 27
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
2 Corinthians 12:9
 
“But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels …”
 
TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS
 
What exactly is this treasure that we have in earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7)? The answer is found in verse 6. It is “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (i.e. the saving knowledge of the gospel). Now that we have this knowledge, we are to be witnesses for Christ Jesus in the world of darkness in our “earthen vessels” (i.e. our bodies and minds).
 
It was common in the days of Paul to use earthen wares for storage purposes. However, these clay containers were extremely brittle and would crack easily under pressure. So too are our bodies and minds – they are weak and often succumb to the stresses of life.
 
Why then did God put the treasure of the gospel in earthen vessels? This is so that God’s glory and power may be clearly manifested in the weakness of man (cf. 2 Cor 12:9). When “earthen vessels” which should ordinary break under stress are sustained through the punishing rigours of labour for Christ, it would be made manifestly clear that this is by the power of Christ. “By utilizing frail human ministers, God demonstrates that the ‘surpassing greatness of the power’ that transforms men’s lives is from God and not from any preacher” (Kent).
 
Paul then employed four seemingly paradoxical statements to press home his point (2 Cor 4:8-9): “…troubled…, yet not distressed; … perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” These were descriptions of how Paul and his associates endured hardships and trials so that the gospel work could proceed for the salvation of souls and the edification of the saints. This is what Paul meant when he said, “So then death worketh in us, but life in you” (2 Cor 4:12).
 
A good restatement of today’s passage can be found in the hymn “Keep On Believing”: “If all were easy, if all were bright; Where would the cross be? And where the fight? But in the testings God gives to you, Chances for proving what He can do.” God is glorified in our weakness.
 
THOUGHT: What does it mean to take up the cross?
PRAYER: Father, help me to deny myself and take up the cross.

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