Although it is not a universal practice, many Christians bury the dead facing east. This is based in part on the promise of Matthew 24:27: “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Even in death, these believers would be looking for Christ’s return.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, Paul speaks of a posture of faith for the living. Those who live for Christ look forward to the life to come. But we do not have to wait until then to experience it. Paul’s bodily life displayed the glory of Christ like a treasure that had been concealed in a clay jar. Its purpose was to show “that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (v. 7). As a result, Paul’s experience was a study in contrasts. The apostle’s life was marked by vulnerability and weakness by which “the life of Jesus” was revealed (vv. 9–11).

Citing the Greek translation of the Old Testament (known as the Septuagint), Paul describes his own response to these afflictions as one of faith (v. 14). His faith was grounded in the knowledge “that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself” (v. 14). His sufferings put God’s grace on display and caused others to glorify God and give thanks (v. 15). For his part, Paul was determined to go through life facing forward by maintaining a kind of double vision. Although fully aware of his present (and often difficult) circumstances, faith enabled the apostle to see the spiritual reality behind his experience. Faith enabled him to understand how “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (v. 17).

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