Tonight’s Catch On Teleconference Bible study has caught up to the crux of the New Covenant – what I think is one of the key verses in all of scripture when it comes to impacting those around us with the good news of Jesus Christ.

“But 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).

The utter incongruity of God and us in the same place at the same time is the whole point. The unlikely meeting of our two natures is what makes this work. Others know us… they know our weaknesses, our limitations, our sins… after all we are only fragile, breakable jars of clay. And yet, what is this other thing going on in us – this enablement that can’t be explained in human terms? This is the improbable treasure that we hold – the life of Christ in and through the Holy Spirit in us.

We have something extremely glorious (Christ himself) hiding out in something extremely ordinary (you and me) so that anyone getting close enough to tell will know that it is the Lord who empowers us. God is purposely continually showing us up, so there will be no confusion as to who to credit for any accomplishments we achieve.

When you really get it, you almost have to laugh. It’s a grand joke and the joke is on us.