Treasure in Clay Jars

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 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. (2 Corinthians 4:7-11 ESV). Yesterday we talked about the painful process of “winnowing,” being sifted like wheat. Those experiences of life are very real. Anyone who would scoff at the pain and difficulty of them simply hasn’t been there. The list of such experiences is long and sad. I minister to many of these people daily as they walk through my doors, sit at the table, and recount their story of hurt or calamity. Some would say that they made choices in life that brought the pain of consequence to bear in their lives. In some cases they would be correct. However, I have found that the reason for the pain is secondary; and, it does not ease the pain. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians an incredible confession in our reading today. He talks about affliction in every way, perplexity in life, persecution from many sources, being driven to his knees, and bearing the cruel death of the executioner; yet, he says none of these things are powerful enough to rob us of our life. In fact, they only reveal the real treasure within us. That treasure is “the surpassing power of God.” Paul is not calling all Christians to suffer the same things. Nor is he saying that we should think of suffering as the only means to getting revelation from God. Nor is he saying we should those who suffer as possessing a higher order of spirituality than others. In the providence of God some believers live significantly more peaceful and healthier lives than others. So those who are not suffering should not seek to do so. They should seek to be faithful to God, banking their hope on His promises so that meeting the needs of others becomes more important than securing their own future. The first question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism is as follows: What is your only comfort in life and death? Here’s the answer of the confessional: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. To follow Jesus Christ in this life does not confer on us the ability to escape suffering. It gives us the power to rise above it in victory! That’s the treasure. We are rich!