Evening
September 8

2 Corinthians 4:7,10-11 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.


Gideon's men were told to put a torch inside a clay pot to hide the light until they had surrounded the enemy. When the bugle sounded, they were to break their pots and the light would shine out. God has done something very similar in us. He has placed His Spirit in us. When we are broken vessels, the light shines forth. It isn't about the clay pot. It is about the light that is inside. The pot has no power of its own. We are just a vessel for the light. Our greatest need is to remain broken. You might call us crackpots for Jesus.

Put in another metaphor, we are to be dead so that others can see the life of Jesus revealed in our body. If we remain in the death of Jesus, that is to keep our old nature on the cross, then the resurrected life of Jesus can be seen in our lives. We desire for others to see Jesus as we let His life reign in us. Broken pot or old self on the cross, we must get out of the way. Then our mortal bodies express the love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit. Those who are drawn to Christ will see Him in our life. What an amazing thing! The old hymn says, "Let others see Jesus in me. Let others see Jesus in me. In life and play and work each day, let others see Jesus in me."

Is the life of Jesus manifested in your mortal body? If you have Him as the treasure in your jar of clay, the only thing that can keep Him hidden is refusal to keep the old nature on the cross, refusal to be broken. Insisting on our own life will hide the light and life of Jesus. I sometimes imagine what it would be like if Jesus were to secretly return and walk among us. He does, in lives that are willing vessels, broken, and dead to their old nature.

Consider: Does the world see Jesus today in your mortal body?