[APRIL 16] The Treasure and The Pots

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-11

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be God and not of us."

--2 Corinthians 4:7

It has been said that the Roman Empire ran on olive oil. It was used in cooking, bathing, medicine, ceremonies, lamps, and cosmetics. For decades, olive oil from southern Spain was shipped to Rome in large clay jugs called amphorae. Those jugs, not worth sending back, were discarded in a growing heap of broken shards known as Monte Testaccio. The fragments of an estimated 25 million amphorae created that man-made hill, which stands today on the bank of the Tiber River in Rome. In the ancient world, the value of those pots was not their beauty but their contents.

Because of this, the first-century followers of Christ would have clearly understood Paul's illustration of the life jesus in every believer. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessel, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Cor.4:7).

Our bodies, like amphorae, are temporary, fragile, and expendable. In our modern world that highly values outward beauty, we would be wise to remember that our greatest treasure is the life of Jesus within us. By God's grace and power, may we live so that others can see Christ in us.

We are just the clay pots. Jesus is the true treasure within us. --David McCasland

Although my outward shell decays,

I'm inwardly renewed each day,

Because the life and power of Christ

Indwells this fragile jar of clay. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Christ is seen most clearly when we remain in the background. 

[MARCH 23] Signature Scent

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

"Through us [God] diffuses the fragrance of his knowledge in every place."

--2 Corinthians 2:14

You can't see it , hear it, or touch it, but scent is powerful. The smell of things like crayons, petunias, and colognes evoke memories that transport me to the past and bring to mind people and places I might not otherwise recall.

Some celebrities have fragrances named after them. Fans can identify with an actress or singer by dabbing on the scent bearing her name. Along those lines, Ladies Home Journal published a quiz to help readers determine the perfect fragrance for them. The idea is that every woman, to be memorable, should have a specific scent associated to her.

The idea of a signature scent is not new. God introduced it as a part of worship. In the tabernacle, a certain scent was to be associated with the Lord (Ex. 30:34-35). The people were forbidden to use this fragrance for anything but worship (vv.37-38).

This idea continues under the new covenant, but with a stunning difference. Instead of using incense to make people think of Him, God uses Christians as His "signature scent" to the world (2 Cor. 2:14-15). The fact that God identifies Himself with us in such a powerful way is a truly humbling thought, and causes me to ask, "What do people think about God as a result of being around me?" --Julie Ackerman Link

When we've been alone with Jesus,

There's a difference others know;

And to them it's like a fragrance

That we leave where we go. --Hess

REFLECT ON THIS:

A life lived for God has pleasing aroma.

[FEBRUARY 24] Being Real

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:3-11

"In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses" 

--2 Corinthians 6:4

An antique dealer thought the wrinkled old baseball card she found might be worth $10. After posting it on eBay, she began to wonder if it might be more valuable than she had thought. She removed the posting and consulted a professional evaluator who confirmed that the photo on the 1869 card showed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first professional baseball team in the US. The card sold for more than $75,000.

Mike Osegueda’s article in The Fresno Bee said that even though the card was creased and discolored, the most important thing was its authenticity—it was real.

Paul and his companions suffered greatly while spreading the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 6, he listed their outward trials, their inward traits, and their spiritual resources (vv.4-7). Try to imagine the circumstances in which all these things interacted—beatings, patience, prison, kindness, distresses, love. Although broken physically, depleted emotionally, and tested spiritually, the authenticity of their faith in Christ clearly shone through. “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (v.10).

In our walk with Christ, there’s no substitute for spiritual authenticity—being real. --David McCasland

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, com in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. --Chisholm

REFLECT ON THIS:
There’s no substitute for being real.

[JANUARY 14] The Sin Buildup

Read: 1 John 1:5-10

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" 

--2 Corinthians 4:7

For hundreds of years, windmills around the world have been used to pump water and to process grains. But in the last few decades, as wind turbines producing electricity have become more prevalent, a “fly in the ointment” unexpectedly occurred.

Researchers discovered that windpower generators worked fine at slow speeds, but at high-wind velocity, bugs on the blades reduced power output. Operators found that it was necessary to regularly wash off the buildup of dead insects to avoid having them slowly decrease the turbine’s power.

A buildup of sin in a Christian’s life can be a problem as well. God has provided a way to clear the accumulation of sins from our lives. First John 1:9 reminds us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” But unless we do that often, we’ll be running on diminished power. That’s because the power for living comes from God and not us (2 Cor. 4:7). When we try to live the Christian life in our own strength, we’ll feel defeated—like windmills robbed of their energy.

God’s power can be more easily seen and experienced in our lives when we get rid of sin’s buildup every day. --Cindy Hess Kasper

The power in our Christian life

Will be diminished by our sins;

Confession will restore our strength--

When we're forgiven, cleansed within. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Sin drains our spiritual power; confession restores it.