2 Corinthians 5:1-10

 1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building
from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile
we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we
are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan
and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with
our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now
it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a
deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in
the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are
confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the
Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body
or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad.

MEDITATION
1. Courage to endure the radical call of the Christian claim on our lives comes
from the belief that the eventual reward will outweigh the temporary suffering
we incur by challenging the world’s values as Jesus and Paul did.  When our
valiant struggle for God’s better way goes unappreciated and misunderstood,
we have the hope of the Emmanuel God—God with us—utter delight at
being in the divine presence.  But we also have the happiness of experiencing
our own growth into the splendour of divine wisdom, so that our groaning
here for the redemption of our bodies is not without reward in its own right.
2. Which do I spend more time preparing and thinking, my earthly tent (body)
or my heavenly dwelling?  If I only spend several decades in my earthly tent,
but millions of years in heaven, which one should I devote more thoughts
and energy on?

Personal Note:
The relationship between heaven and earth is like a building and a tent.  There is a group of native up north in our province that lives in tents and without adequate supplies.  It is sad to see people living in such terrible conditions.  Everyone longed to live in a comfortable home.  It would make no sense for the native people to rejoice and spend all their time thinking about how wonderful their tents are.  They are petitioning to have housing projects so they can stay warm and be comfortable in the winter.

In the similar manner,  we do not rejoice and focus on our earth tent (body), but rather we spend more time and energy focusing in heaven.  Yes, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, but we do not worry about it as God knows and will take care of our needs.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

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


MEDITATION
1. Paul was contrasting the weak and ordinary character of the messenger with
the overwhelming power of the message.  Paul found himself under pressure,
perplexed, persecuted, knocked to the ground.  Everything in his experience
reminded him that the dynamic power that had marked his ministry had no
source in him.  He credited Jesus, who saves all those who believe in Him, with
the fact that despite his weaknesses he had not been crushed, nor drowned in
despair, nor abandoned or destroyed.
2. Don’t let a sense of personal weakness keep you from serving God.  The fact
that we are weak is the backdrop against which the incomparable power of
God is revealed.


Personal Note:
Perplexed:  trouble with uncertainty; despair: hopelessness or lack of hope.  God's power is displayed in my weaknesses.  It is in fact God uses the weak to shame those who think they are strong apart from God.


I am the clay jar (ordinary, nothing fancy) that holds on to the treasure of Jesus Christ.  He is beautiful and glorious.  The power of God forgives all sins and bring restoration and healing to this hopeless world.