Welcome back to Week 2 of Captivated Heart: Server Training. This week
we are focusing on Jesus as Lord, and today we're
going to continue narrowing that down further as we listen to what HE says it means
for Him to be Lord of our life. You see, it is much easier to merely say that Jesus is Lord than it is to actually allow
His character to be our own, His Words to be our direction, and to
follow Him as He calls us to follow. We're going to dig in and find out
how we might let Christ define what His Lordship is and means in our
lives.
Start today by reading 2 Corinthians 4:6-18.
Verse 7 in the ESV says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
"This treasure..." What is this treasure? As you look back in the preceding verses you will see that the "treasure" is this figurative light that God has made shine in our hearts, giving us the knowledge of His Glory that is apparent in the face of His Son, Jesus. I think this "light" is none other than the Holy Spirit!
This Spirit, this "treasure," has been placed in fragile containers made of clay...namely, us. Why would God put something so precious into something so very breakable as the human being? To make HIS power shine even brighter!
Paul continues in this passage of 2 Corinthians to describe some pretty tough circumstances that we are going to endure as Christ's followers, but with each affliction he encourages us that our circumstances cannot overpower God. Our bodies may take a beating, but our spirits will be renewed by HIS Spirit living in us! AND...when we fix our eyes (and our hearts and minds!) on God's Kingdom rather than the tough circumstances that we find ourselves in the middle of, God's glory radiates from us. When we -- Christ's Church -- share in His suffering, we also share in His Glory.
All of this from a common clay pot.
Sounds pretty incredible to me.
Being a "jar of clay" can be a little frightening at times. What fears do you struggle with living as a "jar of clay?" How is the Spirit teaching you to conquer this fear? Spend some time in prayer telling God about your fears and asking for the Spirit's help in conquering them.
Today's Gospel readings:
Matthew 17-18, 20:17-34
Mark 9:2-13, 9:30-50, 10:32-45
Luke 9:28-62, 17:20-37
John 9, 12:12-36
