Paul just finished talking about the light and glory of God, and here contrasts that with the vessels that he stoops to place it in – namely, is. Clay pots, cheap, abundant, easily broken.
Speaking of easily broken, if it were not for the all-surpassing power of God, Paul makes it clear that he himself would be broken. The story of Paul’s life after his conversion has not been one of comfort and luxury – he goes into more depth in capture 11, but to sum up, he is hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. Christians as a whole were surrounded by threats of death and violence at all times – but by life as well. Bad news was all around, but the Good News was at work. The life of Jesus was at work in Paul’s life, and in the lives of the Corinthians.
The ultimate consummation of that work is in eternity, and in the midst of difficulties, that is what he looked to in order to not lose heart. The grace of God that brings Paul into this eternal relationship with Him drives thanksgiving for the mercy shown.
And the grace goes beyond simply the withholding of punishment. In the essay that takes its name from this passage, CS Lewis notes that the most important thing in the world is “What God thinks of is.” The answer is stunning. We are celebrated by God. The weight of this glorious truth makes the suffering Paul mentions seem insubstantial in comparison.
So we may feel like we live ordinary lives – at best. In reality, death and decay are all around us. Outwardly, we are wasting away. As people, as a society, as families, as churches. What can we do about it? Do we feel the weight of glory? Sometimes we are even shamed by the gospel itself, for failing to live up to or spread its message.
But we are not, in the end, ordinary. As Lewis writes, “you have never talked with a mere mortal.” We are all on a trajectory to either eternal glory or dark horror, and God has given us an opportunity to be a piece of bringing people to that glory. As grace extends through us to others, it moves us to the proper position of thankfulness.
– Sermon Notes, Dave Lester, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, February 25, 2018
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
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