2 Corinthians 4:1-15 (NRSV)
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Chapter 4Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. Verse 2We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. Verse 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Verse 4In 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. Verse 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. Verse 6For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Verse 7But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
Verse 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; Verse 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; Verse 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. Verse 11For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. Verse 12So death is at work in us, but life in you. Verse 13But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture-"I believed, and so I spoke" -we also believe, and so we speak, Verse 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Verse 15Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Devotion
Paul’s words remind me of Perpetua, a second-century North African noblewoman. Urged to renounce her Christian faith, she renounced instead her family, even her newborn son. She said, “How can a vase be anything other than what it is? I am a Christian.” For this she was martyred. Paul has words of comfort for us ordinary saints as well. He reminds us that we are “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken. ...” In all of our sufferings, we bear Christ in us. And Christ lifts us up and bears our burden.
Prayer
Gracious God, may we bear Jesus in our bodies, even as he bears us in his. May we bear the face of Christ to our neighbor, even as we look for the face of Christ in that same neighbor. Finally, we know that you will remember us, and remember our broken bodies in Christ’s glorious, resurrected body. Amen.