This is part of the message shared at last Saturday's service.
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. 2 Cor 4:6-7 NIV
It was customary to conceal treasure in clay jars, so as not to attract attention eg. the Dead Sea scrolls were found in clay jars.
What is this treasure Paul is talking about?
It is the gospel light and the power of the Holy Spirit residing within believers.
But God chose to dwell in this tabernacle made of clay (human body) so that His glory can be revealed through us. We worship the God of glory. Glory has to do with great beauty, magnificence and splendor.
The manifestation of God’s glory was often seen in a cloud in OT times:
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Ex 40:34-35 NIV
When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. 1 Kg 8:10-11 NIV
In the NT time, God’s glory is seen in Jesus and reflected in the church:
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light ... While he (Peter) was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Mt 17:1-2,5
And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18 NIV
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Cor 6:19 NIV
Why would God choose to inhabit man? God chose the weak things of the world to demonstrate his glory so that man has no excuse to boast.
Why our bodies are jars of clay:
1. Subject to sickness, deterioration & death – Paul’s torn in the flesh
… in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:7-9 NIV
The physical condition and attacks from his enemy did not keep Paul from fulfilling his call to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. It was to keep him humble before the Lord. Likewise, whatever our physical condition, we can still shine for Christ.
2. Subject to carnal inclinations – the impulsiveness of James and John, sons of thunder
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Lk 9:54-55 NIV
Jesus and his disciples were heading towards Jerusalem to observe the Jewish feasts. It was a three day journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. The Samaritans refused overnight shelter for the pilgrims. Alluding to what Elijah did when he called down fire to consume the soldiers, James and John wanted to do the same. The received a rebuke from the Lord.
Don’t be too quick to accuse James & John for their behavior. If we reflect deeply, we are often guilty of it when things don’t go our way. We will lash out at those in the way, displaying our baser instincts such as outbursts of anger, selfish ambition and jealousy - some of the works of the flesh mentioned by Paul in Gal 5. Can we still do the Lord’s work if we fail to bring our carnality into Christ’s subjection? Yes certainly. But the Lord will continue to refine us through the Holy Spirit to transform us.
3. Subject to disappointment and disillusionment – John the Baptist had of Jesus
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Lk 7:18-19 NIV
We are emotional beings subject to the vicissitudes of life. We get hurt or disappointed easily, especially if our expectations of others are not met. We can be disappointed with people or God. Here we see John the Baptist getting disillusioned with Jesus. Probably, his expectation of Jesus as the savior of the world was to deliver him out of prison. Jesus did not deliver him out of prison; in fact John remained in prison until his death. Jesus commended John as the greatest among those born of women. That’s how God looks at us (He never forgets the work we’ve done for Him) even when we are at our lowest; isn’t it amazing!
Jesus’ reponse: “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Lk 7:22-23 NKJ
Don’t get offended by the way God works. His ways are not our ways. Jesus points John to the works He’s been doing, namely, healing and evangelism. That’s how God’s glory is revealed – through healed, saved and restored lives! And we are to continue being the incarnation of Christ by doing His work.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Hab 2:14 NIV
How is God’s glory to fill the whole earth? In as much as His children shine for Him wherever they may be. We all carry the glory of the Lord in jars of clay; imperfect though we may be, God still delights to use us. However, there is a price to pay if we desire to be a vessel of honour for the Lord. This is where I turn to another metaphor used by Paul.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Tim 2:20-21 NKJ
In the house of the great King, only gold and silver will suffice to reflect God’s glory. All others will not do. To be a vessel of honour, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles flesh and spirit.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 NASB
Church revival begins with each one of us forsaking sin and drawing near to God in worship and communion. As we listen, we would be instructed as to what to do. Do you want to be a vessel of honour? Then do what God says. When we obey God’s word, God’s glory will be manifested in our lives, not just by our words but our actions as well.
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