Today’s readings: 2 Corinthians 2-4, Psalm 140
2 Corinthians 4:5-15
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. 11 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. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 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, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 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.
I recall the first time I saw myself on video leading a worship service. As part of our seminary training, we conducted demonstration worship services while someone recorded us. Then we reviewed the tape (yes, it was that long ago), and the professor offered his evaluation. I don’t remember what he said, but I do recall thinking I seemed a bit too nonchalant. A little more propriety was in order, a bit more formality. After all, I was leading God’s people in worshiping the King of the Universe!
Throughout my ministry, I’ve tried not to put on airs. I don’t want to perform as some liturgical celebrity, as though it’s all about the performance. On the other hand, as Diane once reminded me, “We dare not saunter nonchalantly into the presence of the almighty God.” Our God deserves the best of our efforts and demeanor.
But when Paul speaks of the treasure of the Gospel in jars of clay, he’s talking about something far more important than worship behavior, formality, or ritual. He’s reminding us that the power to save doesn’t reside in the person bringing the message. As a professor friend of mine used to say, “Gentlemen, the world needs a Savior, and you are not him.”
The power is not in the messenger. It’s in the Gospel itself, and in the Holy Spirit who works through that message. No amount of pizzazz, slick presentation, finesse, or eloquence can accomplish what God does through his Word.
We certainly want to be thoughtful in our Christian witness. We must never sully the Gospel message with careless words or thoughtless babble. But we don’t have to live perfect lives to witness to Christ. We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t even have to get every word just right.
Paul knew his own limitations. He wasn’t interested in impressing the Corinthians with his rhetorical skills. He wanted them to see Jesus and recognize the surpassing power of God at work through the Gospel.
You may never lead a worship service, much less be recorded and critiqued for how you conducted it. But you do have opportunities to witness to Jesus. And you may sometimes feel inadequate to the task. That’s all right. You are a jar of clay, after all.
The treasure isn’t our ability to say everything just right. The treasure is Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, the Savior of the world. And God has entrusted that treasure to ordinary people like you and me.
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
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