2 Corinthians 4:7-12 – Treasure in Jars of Clay
Jars of clay were common, everyday jars, the type of thing that doesn’t last very long and isn’t very valuable. The great treasure is the message of salvation through faith in Jesus. The startling contrast between jars of clay and a treasure shows that the excellence of power is not in the jars of clay, is not in us as Christians, but in the treasure we carry. God alone has the power and the prerogative to save, and it is this great treasure that we carry, that animates us, that shines out of us as a great light.
Paul uses four comparisons to talk about being afflicted but not destroyed. They are hard pressed or afflicted on every side – there is trouble on every side, surrounded by the enemy and suffering in various ways, physically, mentally, spiritually – yet not crushed. Even though the enemy is all around and pressing in, we are not crushed. We are not destroyed or dismayed by the battle. Why? Because of the power of Christ saving us and working in and through us. We are perplexed – sometimes we just don’t have an answer for the trials we face. Sometimes God brings us to the end of our strength. Sometimes we cry out to God for deliverance because we feel we can hold up no longer. Yet not in despair. Why? Because of the power of Christ saving us, because of the power of God working in and through us. We are persecuted – imagine being chased by an enemy, hunted down and captured. Yet not forsaken. God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He has not given a promise that we will never experience trouble. In fact, it’s likely that you have and you will. But what God has promised is that he will be with you and give you strength to persevere. We are struck down, yet not destroyed. We do experience trouble. We don’t deny it, or try to explain it away, or try to cover it over. We experience perplexing troubles, but we do not despair. Why? Because of the power of Christ saving us, because of the power of God working in and through us.
What does it mean to carry about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus? It is linked to the teaching that we are united with Christ. Our union with Christ results in justification. This rests on Jesus’ death on our behalf – we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus. Our sin is given to him and He died on our behalf. Union with Christ rests also on Jesus’ life on our behalf. We carry around not only the death, but there is revealed in us the life of Jesus. The love of God then stirs us up to serve Christ and to proclaim that great truth that we know – that Jesus Christ saves us from our sin.
Question
- What does Paul contrast jars of clay with a treasure?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the promises of God we can cling to in our affliction.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.