Good morning. I would like to direct our thoughts to that passage of scripture found in 2 Corinthians 4:4-9.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
It is a tragedy that so many continue to live in darkness. We are told in this passage that Satan has blinded the unbelievers to the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ. Why can’t they open their eyes and see?
When Don Lloyd was President of Minnesota Bible College, we had him preach at our Minnesota Christian Convention. He told the story of a time in high school when he was sitting at the lunch table with a friend. This friend was blind, since a birth defect had left him without the ability to see. At least he was blind as we would describe the ability to see. As they were finishing their lunch a girl walked up to their table. She shared a funny story and they all laughed. With a good-natured farewell, she left them and they returned to what was left of their lunch. Don’s sightless friend made the comment about the girl: “Isn’t she great! She has got to be the most beautiful girl in this entire school!” Don hesitated and was about to straighten his friend out by telling him that “no, she was far from the most beautiful girl in the school. In fact, most people considered her very plain and ordinary.” But before he started talking Don had to stop and think. After a few moments he told his friend “You know what? You are absolutely right. She is the most beautiful girl in the school!” Don went on in his sermon message to explain that he had been guilty of being blinded by worldly sight. When he stopped to consider what was true, he “saw” something far different. This girl was a ray of sunshine and a joy to be around. She had a generous spirit and a lovely heart. When you opened the eyes of your heart, there was no doubt about it, she was absolutely beautiful! It took someone without physical sight to encourage Don to see.
Too often the world doesn’t see the light of the Lord simply because those to whom the Lord entrusted the gospel message aren’t properly shining with His glory. But when and if the light does shine for them, the reality of Christ’s glory is all the more apparent.
It was the will of God that the glory of Jesus be shown to the world by way of the people who love Him. 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.
Why would God entrust something so important to “vessels” so ordinary as ourselves? Paul goes on to give us the answer: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
In the ancient world there were few things more common and utilitarian than the clay jar. While in the home of the wealthy such things may have been made beautiful, in the world of the common man they were typically the same color as the dirt from which they were formed. They weren’t the sturdiest of implements either. They were often cracked and chipped, soiled and stained. Paul compares you and I to those common vessels.
Why would God entrust the treasure of the Good News of salvation to the likes of us? Because when the light does shine, and when it is received and understood, it makes the glory of Jesus all the more brilliant and the truth of salvation all the more certain because obviously, this good news must be of God and not from vessels as ordinary as we are!
Let the light shine today. And if your jar of clay has a few cracks and chips, that is OK too, for in our imperfections His glory is all the more revealed!
Vern