WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS

This verse is taken from:
2 Corinthians 4. 1-7
Thought of the day for:
6 October 2024

Truth, v. 2, the gospel of the glory of Christ, v. 4, preaching Christ Jesus as Lord, v. 5, the knowledge of the glory of God, v. 6, and treasure, v. 7. What expressions to describe the gospel! What a privilege to be the vessels to convey this to our generation!

The gospel is the truth from God, the truth about God, and the truth which reveals God. It is that which reveals the glory of God. It is the gospel of the glory of Christ. Calvary may well be the ultimate measure of shame and reproach, but it will be the display of the glory of Christ eternally. Every excellency of the Saviour was displayed there: His love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self control. Every mani­fest excellence in all its fullness was displayed. Well may we bow in wonder as we gaze on Calvary. We should also worship as we handle this sublime message.

But what a contrast! Earthen, frail vessels linked with the greatest treasure on earth! Rather than a mistake, or calculated risk on the part of God, this is all in keeping with His unsearchable wisdom. The treasure has been placed in frail mor­tal vessels so that every one can see that the power is really of God and not from the vessel. The very use of the expres­sion, ‘vessel’, is meant to convey that the messenger is only the channel through which the power of God flows. All that is accomplished of an eternal nature is done by divine and not by human agency.

Nothing is mentioned in this verse about the vessels being ‘broken’ as they were in Gideon’s day. The context, however, vv. 1, 2, suggests that Paul knew the pressures which the world exerted and the problems to which the inherent weakness of the vessel were prone. He would not faint, v. 1, fear, v. 2, or prove false to the message, v. 3. Renouncing all that could hinder the faithful revelation of the message, he stepped aside to allow the power of God to be displayed. As a faithful servant, he heralded one message alone: Christ Jesus as Lord.

May we worship at the gospel of the glory of Christ; may we be faithful with the message of the glory of God as we seek to present it to others.

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