Jars of Clay

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Cor. 1:27

A month or so ago I was up late watching TV when a show about a group of mountain climbers caught my eye. I was overwhelmed by their effort and cried with one of the men who reached the top was bawling. Why was this episode so moving? I believe the Holy Spirit spoke a message to me through it. This was no usually group of buff climbers who'd been training for ten years. Their group consisted of a blind man, three people with prosthetic limbs, and most amazingly of all a man who was a paraplegic. He was literally pulling himself up the mountain with his hands. Some of those with lesser impairments gave up before they reached the top, but the man who was a paraplegic refused to quit no matter how much pain he was in or how impossible it seemed to make it to the top before the time limit ran out.

Their journey reminded me of the journey of faith each of us in on, laboring our way through this earth until we reach our final destination and goal of seeing Jesus our Savior, who is the one who gave us the strength to make it. We all have our weaknesses and impairments that differ from one another in severity and description. At this point in time do you feel like you are dragging yourself by your hands in agony up your mountain? Is your faith feeling weak? Are your weaknesses or life circumstances making you want to quit? Is Jesus angry at you for this?

Here is a prophecy about Jesus that is quoted in the New Testament from Isaiah 42:1-4
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope. Mat. 12:20-21

This is saying Jesus didn't come to destroy the weak, but to strengthen and bring them to victory as they put their hope in him. All Jesus needs is a mustard seed of faith to work with and the most incredible things can happened! (Matthew 17:20)

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 Cor. 4:7-9

Our own weaknesses show that all the power and ability we do display is from God. Our human bodies are the jars of clay and the treasure is Christ in us who gives us the power to go on when we are persecuted and crushed. (see 2 Cor. 12:9-10, Rom 14:4, Heb. 4:15)

Are you feeling strong? Maybe you are more like the guides who were helping those with physical disabilities up the mountain. Another moment that moved me was when the guide offered to get down on his hands and knees and crawl beside the man who was a paraplegic if that would help him reach the top. Isn't this what we as Christ's followers should do for one another? Get down in the grime and suffering of another in order to help them press on.

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good. Romans 15:1-2

I encourage each of you to read 1 Corinthians 1. God is so incredible and always does things differently then we would assume is right as humans. It describes how God has used the weak and foolish things of this world to shame the wise and strong so that no one can boast about the things they have done. IT'S ALL GOD! Press on with your trust in Him!

Rock on for Christ,
amber