Injustice - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

4:7 - Because the same power that created the universe, gave us the gospel, then surely that makes the gospel the most important aspect of human existence, even though it’s hard to focus on it as that sometimes. Paul rightfully calls it a “treasure” and gives kind of a bizarre image that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” The IM comments, “Paul compared himself and his fellow ministers of the gospel to ordinary-looking clay jars that contain the ‘treasure’ of ‘the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.’ Paul stated that the contrast between humble, unimpressive missionaries and the light they bear- the gospel of Jesus Christ- reveals a divine purpose: ‘That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’”

 

There are a couple of reasons why this comparison between regular people and the glory of the gospel is important. First, by having the missionaries be relatively unlearned, insignificant, and diminutive, the focus of potential converts is forced to be on the message and not the messenger. Because ultimately, the gospel isn’t about the people in it, it is about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He’s what makes it great. Any of the gospel teachings are testified to through the Spirit to the individual worshipper, not because the speaker is dynamic or engaging. This helps the people make a connection with the message and the Spirit and that’s what grows a testimony.

 

Secondly, when the missionaries are “humble” or nothing fancy, then it makes them relatable. Someone who is flashy and fast talking takes all the attention for themselves and often the message is secondary. Most people won’t hear a message from someone who isn’t like them educationally, socially, or culturally, and think, “that would work for me.” Most people are just regular folks who want to live in peace comfortably with their families, and really, when missionaries are also just regular folks, the message is so much more profound. It’s very powerful to hear, “I am just like you, and this made my life better,” whereas hearing, “I live a much easier lifestyle than you do and this made my life even better,” is just not a message that resonates with many people. That’s why a lot of times when the Savior taught, he taught using concepts that the people were already very familiar with, such as a woman at the well in Samaria who wanted “living water.” I know that I’m making some broad generalizations here, but just take all of this with the understanding that this is not specific to every case.

 

4:8-10 - If the missionaries were just regular people with nothing special then the power of the gospel can be presented untainted by social stigmas. This also means that the opposite must be true though, if they are bearers of the gospel to those who want it, then they also must be bearers of the gospel to those who don’t want it. Paul continues, “we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” The first part of each of these phrases talks about things that happen to them, and the second part is how the first part didn’t ruin them because of God’s power. Satan tries to harass us, confuse us, and hurt us, but when we have the gospel and strive to grow spiritually, then God provides ways for us to be ok. Again, we can look at Abinadi as an example of having peace in his soul despite being burned to death.

 

If the missionaries are so benign that they wouldn’t coerce people to accept the gospel, then they should be benign enough to not attract negative attention for it either. But they did, and if the glory of the gospel can be seen beyond the missionaries, then Satan’s hate for it is also seen beyond the missionaries. It’s very powerful when someone devotes themselves to a cause that has no obvious earthly benefits, such as wealth, power, or fame. It’s even more powerful when that person receives no benefits and also endures punishment for their beliefs without backtracking their commitment. It really makes no sense if looked at from the worldly perspective, the gospel affords no one great wealth, only allows power to those who don’t abuse it, and reminds us that we are all equal and to love our neighbor. Why then would people endure torment or mockery because of it, if not for the incredible power that the gospel had rendered in their lives?

 

The IM says that these scriptures, “contain Paul’s account of many of the perils he experienced as a missionary and Apostle of Jesus Christ. Though many of these perils were extreme, Paul testified that because he was always supported by God, he was able to continue to be of service to God and the Saints.” The IM goes on to quote Elder Jeffrey R. Holland as teaching, “on some days we will have cause to remember the unkind treatment (the Savior) received, the rejection he experienced, and the injustice- of the injustice- he endured. When we, too, then face some of that in life, we can remember that Christ was also troubled on every side, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”

 

I have to do this quite a bit actually, remind myself that Jesus experienced my specific sufferings, that he knows what I’m going through. One thing that is legitimately difficult for me though, is seeing the injustice dealt to others. Like this whole Ahmaud Arbery murder. I’ve been reading about it for days and I am genuinely outraged. I think about that poor guy going out running, he probably had the rest of his day planned out when he got home, and then within maybe a couple of minutes, his life was gone, he was sent to the spirit world. I wonder about his reaction when he got there. I imagine that he was shocked to suddenly be not living anymore, to be surrounded by people, places, and things that were completely unfamiliar to him. How long did it take him to emotionally accept his demise? I am so angry that I shake thinking about it, and I feel so discouraged because of all the horrible, unjust things that happen to people all the time, disproportionately to people of color in this country.

 

I get so worked up over these issues that the only way I can calm myself down is to remember that Jesus died his death. Ahmaud’s shock and horror were felt by the Savior in Gethsamane and on the cross, the terror he must have felt when he realized that he was going to die. All that was experienced by the God of the universe Himself, and that Ahmaud will be cared for personally by the Savior of the world. It comforts me that Christ is just as aware of Ahmaud’s situation as he is mine, and that we will both be treated with mercy and tenderness and that nothing will be withheld from us because of the actions of others. And unfortunately, Ahmaud’s experience is not unique at all. Billions of people throughout human history have died suddenly and horrifically, there is and always has been gross injustice and while I’m committed to doing everything I can to stop it, ultimately there isn’t a lot that I can do. So I will just have to take comfort in the knowledge that my Savior, the man who loves me so much and has gone through every single terrible experience and emotion that I’ve ever had or will have, loves and has done the same thing for every other person ever to have existed. I think that’s my biggest comfort, that everything Jesus is to me and has done for me, he is and has done just as much for everyone else and that’s nice to know.