Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
The life of Saint Paul was not easy. In fact, it was down right difficult. Read again the way he describes what it has been like for him to trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He is “afflicted in every way,” “perplexed,” “persecuted,” and “struck down.” He equates all of this hardship with “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus.” In other words, he is bearing the cross.
Every Christian, not just the Apostles, are called to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24) You might, at times, feel as though your life rivals that of Paul: afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. The devil, the world, and our own sinful nature never stop hammering away at us, day after day, while we remain in this world. The life of following Jesus is difficult, not easy.
Yet, Paul does not throw in the towel. He does not give up. In spite of the intense hardship that comes with faith in Jesus, he declares that he is not “crushed” or “despairing” or “forsaken” or “destroyed.” Just the opposite. Paul has been baptized into the death and life of Jesus, the life that is “manifested in our bodies.”
You will have hardship and pain in this life. But it will not crush you, or leave you despairing. You are not forsaken or destroyed. Just the opposite. You are safeguarded, hope-filled, befriended, and built up. Just as the death of Christ is obviously at work in our lives, it is a surefire sign that His life is at work in us. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; [Jesus has] overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
In Christ,
Joshua W Theilen
Assistant Pastor