WE HAVE THIS TREASURE

This time of year, my mind turns towards the awesome privilege that Mary had in being the mother of Jesus. What thoughts must have run through her head in thinking, I am carrying God in my womb! What awe and reverence must have filled her--To be singled out for such a glorious mission!

And yet, the greatest wonder is not so much that Mary should become the mother of God--but how it would happen. For the Holy Spirit would come upon her and envelop her with divine power--so she could carry her Lord--God Himself-- within her own body. She certainly held "this [divine] treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Divinity merged with her humanity to bring forth Jesus! God's power enveloped a humble girl to bring salvation to this world of sin! It truly boggles my mind the more I think of it! What an awesome privilege Mary had!

And yet, you and I may share that same privilege--we too may have God's treasure in our earthen vessel. "For it is the GOD who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Just think of it! The same God who created this world out of nothing, who was born of the virgin Mary, has come to us--to give us light from heaven through the presence of Jesus. And when we invite Him to come into our lives--to give us a new heart through the power of the Holy Spirit--we too may have a divine treasure in our earthen vessel! We too may carry 'God with us'--for He lives in us--and abides in us--and shines out through us. What an awesome privilege we have--in being a vessel for Jesus to be seen!

And just like Mary of Nazareth, "we have this treasure in [our] earthen vessel, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." The glory belongs to God, not to me or to you. For just as Mary could not conceive a baby on her own--and certainly could not conceive the promised Messiah--neither can we turn our own lives around. We can't conceive new life in our hearts. But when we're willing as Mary was willing--to be an earthen vessel for the Lord, Jesus will be born in us and we will be a new creation--for the honor and glory of His name!