PENTECOST XVII
September 19, 2021
“Treasure in Clay Jars”
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord . . . For it is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from 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 . . . 2 Corinthians 4:1, 5a-9
As we read these encouraging words from the Apostle Paul to the Christians of Corinth, it’s easy to think of him as the master of the pep talk. But as we take a closer look, this particular passage from 2 Corinthians is much more substantial than a coach firing up his team at halftime to go out on that field and win that game. It’s remarkable how efficiently these words of faith, trust, hope, and confidence come together to tell readers and listeners some of the most foundational beliefs of Christianity.
We start with a faith statement that we do not lose heart in ministry, because it’s not all about us, but rather the proclamation of Jesus as Lord. Following this, God is affirmed as the creator of all, whose creation of light includes that which shines in our hearts, the knowledge of Christ.
The poetic description of treasure in clay jars sounds so appropriate to the times, as jars of clay, stone, and pottery of every size and shape had a wide variety of uses. Jars held trade goods, such as wine, oil, and honey, others were used for storage of grain, or to carry water from the community well. But here the writer is referring to humans as the clay jars, the plain, everyday vessels that aren’t handled carefully, break easily, and are tossed aside. And yet the powerful treasure of the Gospel — the opportunity to share it with all people — is entrusted to humans, who are also breakable and imperfect.
God continues to use the plain, the ordinary, the everyday, to speak to people. He sent his son into the world in the person of a baby born to a poor young couple in a stable — not as a king in fine robes, leading an army of thousands. As a young man, accompanied by a group of ordinary, working men, our Lord traversed the dusty roads of Galilee, focused on his ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing. They didn’t travel in a caravan of camels or horse-drawn chariots, but just put one foot in front of the other like everyone else. And yet they brought the power of the Gospel of God’s love for his people, and through their humility, listeners became believers.
Every age presents new and frightening problems, but even in difficult times, we are not crushed, not despairing, not left alone and not destroyed. We have the promises of God through Christ of his eternal love and faithfulness, and as God’s everyday people, we have faith that he sees us through every day.
Just going along day by day,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers