Jars of Clay

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. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:7-17 ESV). As our steps take us nearer Holy Week and the Passion of the Lord, I am reminded of the words of the old Scottish preacher, George McDonald: The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that we might not suffer, but that our suffering might be like his.

However, as much I’d like to think that being a follower of the Lamb exempts Christians from life’s trials and difficulties, I know that it just isn’t so. But what is so is this, that through his Passion our Savior is able to transform all our suffering into Redemptive Suffering. Our suffering will be made like his. Through Christ all our suffering and heart ache will bring life and blessing to others! In today’s text Paul speaks of such Redemptive Suffering. He says we are “jars of clay” filled with this wonderful treasure. As followers of Christ we are afflicted – perplexed – persecuted – struck down. We are, he says, “always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus.” We feel the sting of Christ’s Passion in our lives all the time. If you’re very much like me, you’re not quite sure how that could be a treasure. It is seen in the resurrection. Just as Christ’s sufferings on Good Friday were transformed into new life on Easter morning, so in Christ all our sufferings are transformed. Jesus went to the Cross, not to make for us a way out, but to make for us a way through. He suffered not to make our way easy, but to make our way great. In ways we cannot yet see, in ways we cannot yet imagine, every tear and every heartache will be redeemed to make visible in us the very life of Christ. That’s truly a treasure!

The Tiniest of Prayers

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV). I have often heard the wisdom of the warning about the subtlety of Satan. One of my favorite quotes comes from Howard Hendricks who said, “He never messes around with the trivial, but goes straight for the crucial: our prayer life.” Hendricks said that Satan had no qualms about Bible study, as long as we were not praying. Nor does Satan quaver when we talk to people about Jesus, as long as we are not praying. Hendricks would have agreed with the old hymnodist William Cowper as he wrote, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees.” That’s the impact of our reading today. The apostle Paul prays for Christians to know “the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.” Notice that Paul does not pray that God would give us power, but that we might know the power that is already in us. Paul explains that this power is the very power that raised Jesus from the dead, enthroned Him at God’s right hand, and made Him head over all things “for the church”. It is power “for the church” that God made Christ head over all things. God’s power works in us as we might pray in His powerful name. I like what Kreeft writes about this power: I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers to God make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those effects down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives. Do not be surprised that Satan attacks your praying. He trembles at the “immeasurable greatness” of God’s power at work in you. Pray today, even the tiniest of prayers!

Cookie Monster

Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! (Psalm 44:23-26 ESV).

I have a confession to make. I am the “Cookie Monster.” Anyone in my family will tell you that I cannot resist any cookie. Chocolate chip are the best; but, none are safe from my reach. Mary indulges me by purchasing a package on a regular basis. She also scolds me for not eating them in moderation. I cannot just eat one or two. I have to grab a handful and eat them all in one quick setting. I suppose Oreos are better for me since I at least pull them apart and pretend there are more than there really are. In fact, as I sit and write today’s devotional, I’m also munching through an entire package of Graham Crackers. Please feel free to chasten me as you desire; I deserve nothing less. Also know that it will probably not make any difference in my behavior. I am convinced that I cannot survive without an abundance of cookies! At least there is a spiritual lesson to be learned here other than not practicing this bad habit. We all have what might be called a “spiritual sweet tooth”. That is to say we all crave the spiritual equivalents of cookies for every meal. It is fortunate that the Lord knows better. He knows I need more than cookies in my spiritual life. He knows that my faith needs more than just the mountaintop highs of ecstasy and delight. So in God’s providence He works through the moments like the psalmist experiences in today’s reading. The psalmist declares that he feels as if God has forgotten and forsaken him. It is important to note in this psalm that these feelings do not come from any sin in the psalmist’s life (cf. vv. 17-19). The psalmist says that he feels covered with “deep darkness”. It is that time in his life that he feels the silence of God in a way that appears to suck the very moisture from the earth. It is dry and arid at a time when he is desperate for a drink of water. A. W. Tozer acknowledges this experience and advises “to ignore it or to tell God about it without any sense of guilt.” The effectiveness and reach of your prayers must never be measured by any of your feelings about them. Your faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness will grow as He weans you from too many spiritual cookies. With just a few weeks remaining in Lent, perhaps today would be a good time for you to cry out to the Lord in your distress. Tell him your frustrations and commit yourself to trusting his path for your life. He will work it together for good no matter how bad it looks right now.

The Samaritan Outcast

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19 ESV).

Song of Ascents is a title given to fifteen of the Psalms, 120–134 (119–133 in the Septuagint and the Vulgate), each starting with the ascription Shir Hama'aloth (Hebrew: שִׁיר המַעֲלוֹת‎‎, meaning "Song of the Ascents"). They are also variously called Gradual Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps or Pilgrim Songs. The Songs of Ascents were the pilgrim songs for those traveling Up to Jerusalem. Jesus was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee where normally He could Expect Opposition. Typically Jews and Samaritans would have kept separate, but common adversity creates strange fellowship. Outside of the village, ten men with leprosy all Cry Out, “Have Mercy!” Jesus hears their cry, sees them, and tells them to “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” This would have meant something slightly different to the Jews and to the Samaritans. For the Jews, showing themselves to the priests would mean they had been cleansed, so they anticipated healing and went. The Jews present would have viewed the Samaritan as doubly unworthy, first because he was a Samaritan, and second because he had leprosy. Leprosy could be cured, one’s ethnicity couldn’t be. To which priest would (or could) the Samaritan go, given that he’d still be considered unclean even if he’d been physically healed? It would have been a logical conundrum: do you go to a Jewish priest as their law required, knowing you might be rejected? Or do you show yourself to a Samaritan priest? Does that count, after all, Jesus—a Jew—said priests (plural)? One thing became clear: Jesus made him clean. So he returns, praising God! Either way, his perspective showed he knew the right answer. The other nine were content following religious procedures. This Samaritan, blessed with leprosy in order to be physically healed by Jesus, receives a further and more significant blessing: saving faith and eternal spiritual healing. “Your faith has made you well,” Jesus says. All of us have been outcasts because of our sin. Jesus has made each of us whole! Easter celebrates that healing!

Cows and Life

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV).

Contentment is one of the most valuable gifts of grace. Last week I met David and Becca for lunch. Of course, Maggie was the star attraction for the lunch. We met at a Barbeque restaurant in Ft. Worth that has an outdoor patio and is located on a beautiful spot on the Trinity River. A part of the decorations is a life size statue of a cow. You can see it is a big hit with Maggie. She kept pointing to it and saying “cow.” I took her over and sat her on it to “ride” for a while. I learned a great deal about cows and life. According to Maggie, cows go “mooooooo…” (the emphasis is on the Texas drawl when making that sound). And, as you can see from the picture there is nothing more satisfying for her than riding on top of the cow; and, nothing more satisfying for grandpa than watching her while she does! That’s contentment. I don’t like to think of myself as a malcontent, but sometimes I am. Now, it is true that, like anyone, I have unmet desires, unfulfilled hopes, and unattained dreams; but, that’s not what makes me discontented. The key is in my expectations. This is the emphasis of the apostle in our reading today. Paul says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Here is the key: I’m not contented when I expect things out of God that I have no right to expect. God is not obligated to grant my three wishes (or five or one). When I trust God fully to give everything I need to live a life that honors Him, my job is to live that life. He knows what I need. And He knows the desires of my heart. And God is able to make all grace abound to me (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:8). This is godliness with contentment. Not my doubting the resources or the goodness of God. Not my being God’s backseat driver. But trusting Him and taking Him at His word. That may be the most difficult thing about the life of a believer. It is simple trust. It’s not a simple thing to accomplish; but, it is simple rather than complex. It is not full of steps and processes. It is not a protracted chain of sacrificial deeds. It is resting in an absolute knowledge that he will bring good from all things to my life. How’s your contentment?

Birth to Death

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:4-12 ESV).

There’s a question I want us to ponder today as we continue to move through Lent: “If Jesus hadn’t been born as one of us, fully human, would His death have been for us?” Sometimes we can be in such a hurry to get to the empty tomb of Easter that we barely stop long enough at the cradle or the cross to know the importance of His birth or death. Think of the things he did to show his humanity. Look at his baptism by John as an example. Our reading today speaks of this: “This is the one who came by water and blood– Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement” (verses 6-8). Had Jesus come to earth incognito, lived and taught and died—with no baptism, no one knowing He was the Son of God—there would be no identification with us in our sinful lives; and, no identification with us in His death; and, no identification for us in His resurrection. But Jesus loved the Father, obeyed His will, and revealed Him to us. Jesus identified with us through the power of the Spirit during His incarnation. He identified with us in a baptism for sins, ones He never committed, and simultaneously unleashed the Spirit’s conviction upon our sinful state and had the Spirit’s affirmation of Jesus’ divine nature. Therefore, He was revealed as “God with us” in His teachings. And He identified with us on the Cross by paying for our sins. When the Holy Spirit came as Jesus promised, the Spirit testifies, the water of baptism testifies, and the shed blood of Christ testifies that victory is ahead for those who believe this testimony: Jesus is the Son of God.

Touchdown

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 ESV).

I know it’s not a very good picture, but it is a special one to me. It’s my grandson crossing the goal line for a touchdown in one of his first games. Logan, in Aledo black and orange, was given the ball for an end around to the left. As he took the ball he saw a gap in the middle of the line and cut through the crease outrunning the defenders for a 16 yard dash to the touchdown. I was proud… and cheering loudly! It was fun to watch him celebrate as he ran to the sidelines with teammates giving him high-fives. He was smiling after the game from ear to ear. Everyone likes an “attaboy” from time to time. Being recognized for doing a good job, affirmed in something that we’ve worked hard to accomplish is always a good feeling. That’s what the apostle is doing as he begins his letter to the church at Thessalonica. Our reading is a cheer along the marathon of life to them. We should think about that as we get closer to Easter. With the finish line ahead, sometimes the final lap can feel like such a struggle that if it weren’t for a good coach instilling in us the desire to finish the race, finishing strong would be difficult, if not impossible.The Apostle Paul knows what he’s talking about. Arguably, there have been few who suffered as much as Paul (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-12:10). For us, reading the writings of the Apostle Paul can be likened to being coached by the world record holder for endurance in suffering. In these writing he gives us some keys to enduring suffering and being worthy of our calling. They are continually growing in both faith and love. Keep up your pace! No pain, no gain! The hecklers will eventually eat your dust and you will be proven faithful. So Paul calls out some encouragement to finish strong, With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11). I hope you’ll spend some time today recognizing that you are closer than ever to crossing the goal line. And you will cross it successfully. Jesus has already opened the crease in the defense and it leads to the touchdown of life! Give yourself a high-five! You’re almost there!