Steven A. Bush - January 30, 2016
Cracked Pots with Treasure
Sharing the Good News is sometimes difficult and full of opposition. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:4: "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Jesus promised such challenges but commissioned us nonetheless. Besides lacking courage, sometimes we just feel too unworthy to share Christ with others. Yet we must remember that it is ultimately God that causes light to shine in the darkness of people's hearts. So Paul further encourages us in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7: "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. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." Back in ancient times, people sometimes hid their treasures in clay pots to conceal their valuables from thieves. As fragile jars of clay (cracked pots), we've been given the great treasure of the gospel. But this treasure is not one to hide but rather one we've been instructed and blessed to share with others. Perhaps it time to joyfully obey.