But we have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

I have spent the summer studying the human body as a way of improving my teaching of anatomy this next school year. And so I have spent every day looking inside the vessel we call our body.
I looked at the heart, the stomach, the lungs, the muscles, the blood vessels, the bones, the tendons, the nerves, the intestines, the brain, literally from head to toe.
There laying on the metal gurney was the vessel that once was called Mary, Bob or Bill. This person loved, cried, laughed, raised children, had hopes, aspirations and fears.
All our treasure, wrapped up in a bundle of tissue we call us.
The scripture speaks of a treasure in clay jars.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. In every way we're troubled but not crushed, frustrated but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:6-9)
One way people used to protect valuable property was to place it in an ordinary clay jar. This way when robbers broke into their home, they would overlook the ordinary jar in the corner and head for the nice looking container thinking that is where the treasure is.
God has put His treasure in us, the ordinary clay jars, not the fancy, ruby enshrined, gold plated ones.
Our ordinary, regular lives are illustrative of the power God places in us. We are not from nobility. We do not have to be special people, nor a celebrity. Riches will not place us at the front of the line, nor will social standing.
When others look at us, it is not us, but God's amazing gift that they see. In the darkness of the world, we beckon with light so bright.
All in a clay vessel.
I stand there looking down at her. Trying to remember the names for tomorrow's quiz, and thinking, this is what we are, a clay vessel...
Until next time on my front porch.

Stay on the Track

Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in through it. (Matthew 7:13)
Ever watch a train go by? I am one of those people who deliberately slows down to see if a train is coming, not one who speeds up to get across the tracks before the train comes. There is just something about trains, the size, the power, that appeals to me.
One observant fact here, the train goes where the tracks take it. It doesn't turn off the road to go there or wonder over here. It stays on the tracks. Real observant, I'd say.
The tracks limit the direction of the train.
So, also is our walk with Christ. Notice that Jesus states that the way to destruction is broad-not narrow.
Now, from what I understand, the everyday gate in walled cities is broad and easily to enter. And of course, in combat, such a gate is a liability. A large army can easily walk right in!
So the big, broad gate is closed in times of danger, locked and barred. To get into the city you had to take a narrow gate. Here, easily defended, only one person or two could enter.
To us, who live in unfortified cities, it is easy to think of broad tree lined streets with lots of room for cars and people.
Which is exactly why, in many cities around the world there are broadways, or large streets directly into the downtown. So that the army can march in or out very quickly.
Now, Jesus uses this military construction to illustrate a point. That it is harder to be righteous than to not to be.
Jesus is going around teaching about the kingdom of God and He is asked:
And one said to Him, Lord, are the ones being saved few? (Luke 13:23)
He goes on to say in Luke: "Strive to enter in at the narrow gate. For I say to you, many will seek to enter in and shall not be able. "(Luke 13:24)
Not be able. A hard statement. Why will many not be able to enter?
Because of the narrow-mindedness that of church members? Of the judgmental attitude of others in the church? Now, that is an easy and lazy response. No, Jesus said the hard one:
"And once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us, and He shall answer and say to you, I do not know you; from where are you; then you shall begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets. "(Luke 13:25-26)
Huh? What is going on? They did not receive His message. They continued to follow the easy, broad path of living that they had. They did not change. They did listen. They heard Him, they had supper with Him.
Only a few will listen and learn. What street are you walking on?