⁵ For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.  ⁶ For it is the God who said, “Let light 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. 

⁷  But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.  ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.  ¹¹ For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.  ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you. 

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

In verses 8-9 Paul describes some of the darkness he and the first followers of Jesus faced, and also the ways God shown through that darkness to show the power of God’s light. Do Paul’s words remind you of a time in your own life? Have you experienced any of the things Paul names here? How has the death of Jesus been made visible in your own life? How has the life of Jesus been made visible in your life as well?

Memory Verse –
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;