Torridge Coastal Mission Community

Reflection from Rev Hilary Kemp

2 Corinthians 4.7-15 (NIV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Reflection

Paul presents a striking image: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” This passage, rich with metaphor and meaning, speaks of the fragility of human life and the resilience of divine hope. In our current time, filled with conflict, social division, environmental crises, and a collective sense of weariness, Paul’s words are more relevant than ever.

The “treasure” Paul refers to is the Gospel—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—and the “jars of clay” are our frail, human bodies. In the face of today’s global challenges, we are acutely aware of our human limitations. Whether it’s the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the rising mental health crisis, or the intensifying effects of climate change, we are constantly reminded of how fragile human systems and lives truly are. Like clay jars, our institutions, our plans, and even our personal strength often feel cracked and vulnerable.

But Paul doesn’t lament this fragility. Instead, he emphasizes that our weakness serves a purpose: it reveals that the power sustaining us is not our own. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” I imagine these words ring true for so many today. Consider the resilience of communities in war-torn areas, or those displaced by climate disasters—people who, despite unimaginable hardship, continue to show compassion, to rebuild, to believe in something better. Their perseverance echoes Paul's claim that suffering does not mean defeat.

Paul’s affirmation that “we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” points us to a profound theological truth: suffering and resurrection are inseparably linked. In our own lives and societies, moments of darkness often precede transformation. Take, for example, the growing global movement for environmental justice. Fuelled by crisis—wildfires, floods, and extreme heat—young people across continents are rising up, not in despair, but in hope. Their voices, calling for systemic change, are expressions of life breaking through the reality of death and decay.

This passage also challenges the modern idea of strength, self-sufficiency, and control. In an age dominated by curated images of success and resilience, especially on social media, Paul’s words remind us that it is okay to be broken, to feel weak, and to depend on God and each other. Christian witness does not come from polished perfection, but from humble perseverance. Faith is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of God in hardship.

In verse 14, Paul expresses a bold confidence: “Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.” This is not mere optimism; it is a hope grounded in resurrection. In a world facing many questions—from AI ethics to deepening inequality—this hope does not dismiss reality but transforms how we live within it. It propels us to act with courage, generosity, and conviction, knowing that life ultimately triumphs over death.

Paul’s words encourage us to see our fragile lives as vessels through which God’s power and grace are revealed. Our cracks don’t disqualify us; they qualify us to bear witness to the light that shines in the darkness—the light the darkness has not overcome.

Torridge Coastal Mission Community

Reflections

Appledore Christian Music Festival

Alpha Course

Maggie's Maids

Rev Hilary Licensing

Rev Jules Harris Licensing