2 Cor. 4:7 “But we have this treasure (the Gospel) in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Lord Jesus, how totally freeing and counterintuitive: Weakness not awesomeness is the way of the Gospel. Jar-of-clay-ness, not omni-giftedness, is the best posture to take as your servants.
You inhabit our weaknesses like a Rembrandt, Monet, or van Gogh in a frame of straw, scotch tape, and Elmer’s Glue. You get all the attention and honor, and we have the privilege of revealing your magnificence and beauty—just the way it should be.
Jesus, you are the treasure all other currencies counterfeit, envy, and mimic. Having you plus nothing would make us incalculably rich. Having you plus what you choose to give us makes us beloved, humble, and grateful. Nothing compares to the excellency of being known, desired, and loved by you.
Vs. 8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Unlike Paul, very few of us are in a season of persecution. But we all relate to his images of being “hard pressed and perplexed.” Our various stories and difficulties, concerns and heartaches stretch our limits and drive us to you—which is a good thing. Our sorrows and challenges have an expiration date. Your grace and love do not.
2 Cor. 2:14 – But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Jesus, all the way Home, through our weaknesses, brokenness, and utter dependence on you, release the aromatic wonder of your beauty, love, and truth. We’ll gladly be carried along as your beloved captives in this “parade of grace,” all the way into the new heaven and new earth. So Very Amen.