Treasure in Jars of Clay

But we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this all-surpassing power

 is from God and not from us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

The apostle Paul paints a striking picture of the Christian life. The gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—is a priceless treasure, radiant with eternal glory. Yet God has chosen to place this treasure in “jars of clay”—frail, fragile, ordinary human beings. Our weakness becomes the very stage upon which His power shines most brightly.

Paul reminds us that the message is never about ourselves: “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Because the treasure is Christ, our role is simply to carry and share it faithfully. To do so, Paul urges us to say “No” to secrecy, shame, deception, and distortion (2 Corinthians 4:2). Instead, we speak truth plainly, trusting the Spirit to open blinded eyes: “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” (v.6).

This means that our weakness is not a liability but an opportunity for grace. Charles Spurgeon once preached: “Our weakness is our strength. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the Lord. Our weakness should be prized, for it makes room for the power of God.” (Strength in Weakness, 1869)

The trials we face—whether rejection, misunderstanding, or suffering—do not destroy us. Paul testifies: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair… struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). The fragility of the jar reminds us that all glory belongs to God, not to us. 

As J.B. Phillips paraphrased: “This priceless treasure we hold, so to speak, in common earthenware jars—to show that the splendid power of it belongs to God and not to us.” (The New Testament in Modern English, 2 Corinthians 4:7).

When our lives are lived with humility and transparency, Christ shines through our weakness, and His eternal treasure is revealed.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for entrusting the treasure of the gospel to jars of clay like us. Guard us from secrecy, shame, deception, or distortion. Let us speak Your truth plainly, so that in our weakness, Your glory and power may shine through. Amen.

The Surpassing Glory of the New Covenant

With Unveiled Faces

 And we all, who with unveiled faces 

contemplate the Lord’s glory,

 are being transformed into His image 

with ever-increasing glory, 

which comes from the Lord, 

who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 

Paul highlights a striking contrast between the old and the new covenants, using the imagery of a veil. In Exodus, after Moses met with God on Mount Sinai, his face shone with such brilliance that the Israelites could not bear to  look at him. To shield them from this radiance—and perhaps also to conceal its gradual fading—Moses placed a veil over his face (Exodus 34:29–35). The veil became a symbol of separation: it represented the barrier between God’s holiness and humanity’s sin, a covering that hid the full glory of God from His people. 

Under the old covenant, the law carved in stone was holy and good, yet its function was limited. It revealed God’s perfect standard but also exposed humanity’s inability to keep it. As Paul explains, it became “the ministry that brought death” (2 Corinthians 3:7) because the law could diagnose sin but could not cure it (Romans 3:20). Its glory was real, but it was also fading and incomplete—pointing forward to something greater.

In the new covenant, however, everything changes. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the veil is removed, and access to God is open. What was once hidden and fading is now unveiled and permanent. Paul declares, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). This is not only freedom from guilt and condemnation, but freedom to live in the transforming presence of God.

J. B. Lightfoot reminds us that the unveiling of Christ’s glory is not merely an act of intellectual insight or theological precision; it is a profound work of the Spirit upon the heart. In Christ, spiritual blindness is taken away, hardness is softened, and His light penetrates the depths of our being. With unveiled faces, we are invited to behold the glory of the Lord—not as a fading brilliance like Moses experienced, but as an ever-increasing transformation. This is the surpassing glory of the new covenant: the Spirit reshaping us into the likeness of Christ, so that His life is reflected in ours day by day.

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, we thank You that in You the veil is removed. By Your Spirit, free us from fear, guilt, and condemnation. Soften our hearts, open our eyes, and transform us day by day into Your likeness, that together we may reflect Your glory in the world. Amen.

Living Letters of Christ

“You show that you are a letter from Christ,

 the result of our ministry, written not with ink 

but with the Spirit of the living God, 

not on tablets of stone 

but on tablets of human hearts.”

2 Corinthians 3:3 

In the ancient world, travelers often carried letters of commendation to establish their reputation. Paul himself once carried such letters from the Sanhedrin (Acts 9:2) to persecute Christians. Now, he claims he needs no such recommendation.

 “You are our letter,” he tells the Corinthians. Their changed lives are his testimonial—letters written by Christ and authored by the Holy Spirit. This is more than metaphor—it’s Paul’s bold theological claim. The Corinthian believers were proof that Christ was at work, not through rules, but through Spirit-empowered transformation.

Barclay cites Plato: “The true teacher does not write his message in ink that will fade; he writes it upon men.” Ink fades. Even stone tablets can break. But the Spirit of God writes truth onto living, beating hearts. Jesus doesn’t just give commands—He changes people from the inside out.

This carries both comfort and responsibility. You don’t need perfect qualifications or titles to represent Christ. If the Spirit is shaping your heart, you are already a living letter of His grace. What people read in your life may be the only gospel they see.

We carry the name of Christ—and how we live either honors or dishonors Him. Whether we like it or not, we are being read—by our family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. The question isn’t if your life sends a message, but what kind of message it sends.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Write Your story on the tablets of our hearts.

By Your Spirit, make us living letters—

Not of ink or stone, but of grace, mercy, and truth.

Let our lives bear witness to Your love and power.

May those who read us see You.

Amen.

Redemption After Rebellion

“In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea.” 

2 Chronicles 33:12–13 

Manasseh’s life is one of the most astonishing stories of grace in Scripture. For decades, he was a poster child of rebellion. He undid his father Hezekiah’s faithful reforms, defiled God’s temple with idols, practiced witchcraft, consulted mediums, and even sacrificed his own children. Scripture says bluntly: “He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing His anger” (v.6).

Then came the consequence—captivity, humiliation, a hook in his nose, and shackles on his feet. But this is where the true miracle begins.

In that lowest place, Manasseh remembered God. He humbled himself greatly. Not with shallow words, but with deep contrition that came from the wreckage of his rebellion. Stripped of power, pride, and position, Manasseh fell on his knees not to bargain, but to surrender fully in repentance to the mercy of the God he had long ignored. He prayed. And God, rich in mercy, was moved by his entreaty. Not only did God hear him—He restored him. The one who had defiled the temple returned to rebuild it. The one who led others astray now pointed them to the Lord.

This is the gospel in miniature: God disciplines, but not to destroy—only to redeem. Love doesn’t excuse sin, but it always seeks to restore the sinner through the doorway of repentance. Manasseh’s story reminds us that no one is too far gone, no life too ruined, no heart too hardened. If we humble ourselves and turn to Him, God meets us with forgiveness, healing, and a new future. Our God is the God of second chances, and third, and seventy times seven.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that Your love never gives up on us. Even when we stray far, You discipline us—not to destroy, but to restore. Help us to humble ourselves in true repentance, to turn from our sin, and to trust in Your unfailing grace. Teach us to walk in Your ways, to rebuild what we have broken, and to extend Your mercy to others. Restore in us the joy of Your salvation, and use our stories to point others back to You.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Anointed - To Be Set Apart

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. 

He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, 

and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,

 guaranteeing what is to come.”

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 

To be anointed is to be set apart by God—not for personal elevation, but for a holy purpose. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is not reserved for prophets or pastors; it rests on every believer. It is God’s seal of ownership, a sign of His presence within us, and a foretaste of the glory to come (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). This sacred calling requires both humility—recognizing that the power is not our own—and boldness—living out our faith with courage and conviction. As followers of Jesus—the Mashiach (Hebrew for “Anointed One”) and Christos (Greek for “Anointed One”)—we are commissioned to live lives marked by holiness, deep intimacy with God, and Spirit-empowered witness.

In moments of temptation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us. Jesus, though sinless, was tempted in every way and overcame (Hebrews 4:15), and by His Spirit, we too are given strength to resist. Paul reminds us that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful… He will also provide a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13). But the Spirit does more than equip us for battle—He anchors us in worship. Like priests in God’s presence, we are invited to worship “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), to cultivate lives centered on praise, prayer, and reverence, even in the ordinary rhythms of our day. The anointing steadies our hearts and lifts our eyes to the One who is worthy.

This same Spirit also emboldens us to speak hope into a weary world. In Christ, we are a royal priesthood, chosen to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9). This prophetic calling does not mean shouting from pulpits but faithfully sharing God’s love in conversations, compassion, and courage. The world is longing for light, and by the Spirit’s anointing, we carry the presence of the Anointed One into every place we go. Let His presence strengthen you in temptation, anchor you in worship, and embolden you to live and speak as a witness to His grace.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for anointing us with Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen us when we are tempted, anchor us in worship, and embolden us to bring hope to a weary world. May we walk each day in the power and presence of the Anointed One. Amen.

Count Your Blessings

 

God’s Generous Benefits

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

And forget not all His benefits: 

Who forgives all your iniquities, 

Who heals all your diseases, 

Who redeems your life from destruction, 

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, 

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalms 103:2-5

Psalm 103 is a personal and powerful summons. David speaks directly to his own soul: “Forget not all His benefits.” He knows that forgetting leads to spiritual amnesia—where joy fades, trust weakens, and worship grows cold. So he names God’s generous benefits one by one: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and soul-satisfying goodness.

These aren’t abstract truths; they are the daily mercies that anchor us. Forgiveness clears the weight of guilt. Healing touches both body and soul. Redemption lifts us from despair. Love and compassion embrace us when we feel least worthy. And God satisfies our deepest desires—not with temporary pleasures, but with purpose, peace, and joy.

Only God can answer the core questions of our hearts: Who am I? Why am I here? What gives my life meaning? Through His benefits—His mercy, grace, compassion, and calling—He doesn’t just give answers; He gives Himself. In Him we find that we are fully loved, fully known, and fully purposed.

But when we seek meaning apart from Him, even success feels hollow. And when we forget what God has done, we lose sight of His goodness and forfeit the strength that comes from grateful remembrance. Forgetfulness breeds ingratitude; ingratitude weakens faith. That’s why David urges his soul to remember and rejoice.

God’s benefits are not occasional blessings—they are daily, relational gifts flowing from His compassionate heart. They meet us in our need—when we are weighed down by sin, worn out by suffering, or lost in longing. When we pause to count these blessings, our souls are lifted, our faith renewed, and our worship becomes real.

Remembering is more than memory—it’s an act of worship. To remember is to return to the God who never forgets us.

Prayer

Lord, we praise You for Your generous benefits—for giving us mercy, healing, redemption, love, and deep satisfaction. Help us remember, not forget. May we live each day in joyful gratitude, secure in Your grace and guided by Your purpose. Amen.