Jesus Revealed in Us 耶稣展现在我们里面
Dexu Xia
We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Today's Scripture 2 Corinthians 4:7 -12
Today's Insights Paul’s description of his struggles in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 is a reminder of how difficult life can be. Like the psalmist David, we may be “worn out from [our] groaning” (Psalm 6:6). But the Bible tells us that trials bring growth. Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). And James goes so far as to tell us we should “consider it pure joy” when we “face trials” (James 1:2). Why? Because “the testing of [our] faith produces perseverance” and perseverance makes us “mature and complete” (vv. 3-4). Trials can draw us closer to Christ, where we find the strength, courage, and joy to go on. Jesus said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He triumphed over death and the devil through His death and resurrection. As believers in Him, we share in that victory. Today, in the midst of our trials, as we submit to God, we can be light to those who are in spiritual darkness.
Today's Devotion After Joni Eareckson Tada’s mother died, Joni thought about how our bodies are like “jars of clay” that hold the treasure of Christ’s presence. She mused about a modern equivalent to describe our earthly bodies—a cardboard box. She knew her mother’s “box,” with its worn-out corners and bends, was now empty. But, she reflected, it was a box they’d treasured, “the vessel in which the treasure of the Spirit of Christ had dwelt.”
As Joni notes, those who follow Jesus let Him shine through them, often in spectacular ways through the creases and holes as their boxes collapse with age. In this she followed Paul’s words about the treasure appearing in “jars of clay” because it would reveal that “this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Although Paul was “hard pressed” and “perplexed” with what he suffered, he was not “crushed” or “destroyed” (vv. 8-9). Through his sufferings in his body, he knew that Christ’s life would be revealed.
How’s your cardboard “box”? You might feel the creases grow larger as you groan under the weight of pain or disease. Know, however, that Jesus is being revealed in your body (v. 10). As you submit to Him, He’ll shine His light through you, so that those who are in darkness may receive His love and His life.
Reflect & Pray
How have you seen Jesus revealed in others? Why do you think God encloses His presence in these “jars of clay”?
Spirit of the living God, please live in me, that I might shine with Your love and presence. By Amy Boucher Pye
“我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，要显明这莫大的能力是出于神，不是出于我们。“（哥林多后书 4:7 ）
今日经文：哥林多后书 4章7-12节
今日洞见：保罗在哥林多后书4章8至9节中描述了对自己挣扎的经历，这提醒我们，生活有时会是何等艰难。正如诗人大卫那样，我们也可能因“唉哼而困乏”（诗篇 6:6）。但圣经告诉我们，试炼能带来成长。耶稣亲自说过：“在世上，你们有苦难”（约翰福音 16:33）。而雅各甚至进一步告诉我们，当我们“遭遇各样的试炼”时，应当“以为大喜乐”（雅各书 1:2）。为什么呢？因为“信心经过试验，就生忍耐”，而忍耐能使我们“成全、完备”（3-4节）。试炼能拉近我们与基督的距离，在那里，我们能寻得继续前行的力量、勇气和喜乐。耶稣说：“你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界”（约翰福音 16:33）。祂借着自己的死与复活，战胜了死亡和魔鬼。作为信靠祂的人，我们分享了基督的那份胜利。今天，当我们身处试炼之中选择顺服于神的时候，我们就能成为那些身处属灵黑暗之人的光。
今日灵修：在琼妮·厄尔克森·多田的母亲去世后，琼妮细思了我们的身体是如何像“瓦器”那样，盛载着基督的同在这一宝藏。她构思了一个现代的类比，来形容我们这属地的身体，就像一个纸板箱。她深知，她母亲的那个“箱子”，那有着磨损的边角和折痕的箱子，如今已是空空如也。但她反思道，那曾是一个倍受我们珍视的箱子，“是盛装着基督之灵这一宝藏的器皿。” 正如琼妮所指出的，那些跟随耶稣的人，容许祂的光透过自己照耀出来；往往是在他们的“箱子”因岁月流逝而逐渐塌陷时，光芒透过那些折痕与破洞透射而出，呈现出令人惊叹的景象。在此事上，她效法了保罗的教导，即那宝藏显现于“瓦器”之中，因为这能显明“这莫大的能力是出于神，不是出于我们”（哥林多后书 4:7）。尽管保罗因所受的苦难而感到“受压”且“困惑”，但他并未因此而“被压碎”或“被毁灭”（第8-9节）。透过身体所承受的苦难，他深知基督的生命必将因此显明出来。 你的那只纸板“盒子”如今光景如何？当你因疼痛或疾病的重压而发出呻吟时，你或许会感到那一道道折痕正变得愈发显眼。然而，请务必确信：耶稣正借着你的身体显明出来（第10节）。当你向祂顺服时，祂必借着你发出祂的光芒，好使那些身处黑暗中的人也能领受祂的爱与生命。
反思与祷告 你曾见过耶稣在某人身上展现出来吗？你认为神为何要将祂的同在装在这些“瓦器”之中呢？ 永生神的灵啊，求祢居住在我里面，好使我能发出祢的爱与同在的光辉。
作者 艾米·布彻·派