While there are multiple kinds of light bulbs today, the incandescent type (which had a long run) had a challenge. They produced lots of light, but if they were hit or dropped, breaking the glass caused the filament to burn out almost immediately when electrical current was applied.
The apostle Paul didn’t have light bulbs in his day, but let’s consider how he described another fragile container for something important. First, though, some context.
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6 NIV
In yet another contradiction to those who think that they should follow Paul or Apollos or Peter (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-17), Paul emphasizes how his message isn’t about himself. The “message of Paul” couldn’t save anyone or change their lives, just as the “message of me” or the “message of you” can’t deliver anyone from their sins (or even necessarily remove the blinders that cloud the hearts of people far from God – see the previous article for more about that). All we can do is to testify to what God has done in our lives, and share the truth about Him in humble, loving service to others who need to see His glory. The good news of Jesus Christ (the “Word of God”) is not primarily about us; it’s about sharing with others the good news of who we’ve found (that is, Jesus), and how He changed our lives for the better.
Just as God spoke light into existence at Creation, He is still the source of light in all realms. Here God gave us His light in our hearts, and that light is knowing the glory of God, as we see in Jesus Christ.
By human standards, though, there’s a challenge with this amazing light of God that we have (to share with others). Like an incandescent light bulb (or the example that Paul uses in the next few verses), we’re fairly simple, fragile containers for that level of glory!
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
Trying to put a big V-10 engine in the Ford Escort I used to own would probably rip the clutch apart or break something else in the powertrain as soon as I hit the gas. Similarly, our sinful nature, our mortal bodies, and our finite minds seem way, way too small to carry the glory of the all-powerful God of the universe.
- How in the world can we carry the enormous responsibility of having the truth of God – the light of knowing the glory of Christ – to share with others?
- How in the world can we hold up under opposition from powerful evil forces (both in the spiritual realms and in the human culture around us) when we try to tell the truth in a fallen word?
- How in the world could we ever be up to this task? After all, the way that Paul describes it, it’s like we – as holders of this great treasure – are more fragile than the treasure itself!
Perhaps you know the answer, already. If we ask, “How in the world…” we can do these things, the answer isn’t to be found in the world. Our ability to get through this otherwise-impossible challenge is found in the God who created the world. He’s bigger than the universe, bigger than those that oppose Him, and bigger than any challenge that we may face. As Veggie Tales characters sang in their first episode, He’s even bigger than the boogeyman.
So, be bold in carrying this treasure. You may not be strong enough on your own, but it’s not your strength that will get you through. The God who created the sun and the stars can help you to hold His light, and to share it with others.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 12, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, May 12, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 2 Corinthians, by William R. Baker. © 1999 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 