Jars of Clay

“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)

History has always fascinated me.  So I was quite the amateur archaeologist in my younger days.  I remember the time I found two beautiful examples of clay jugs from the 18^th century.  It was so exciting to hold a piece of history in my hands.  I could almost feel and hear the spinning of the potter’s wheel as they turned and shaped the chunks of clay that eventually became these jugs.     

When the apostle Paul compared our lives to clay pots, he focused not on the earthen vessels, but rather the contents of those vessels.  Jars of clay deteriorate over time, become chipped, cracked, and eventually broken.  However, the real value of those ancient pots was not in the clay containers themselves, but in what they contained.

The great purpose behind why we are called jars of clay is to show the surpassing power that belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)  We are weak, we are frail, we are lame, and yet, we are chosen.  We are loved.  “He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-- and the things that are not-- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29)

Our only boast is in Jesus our Lord who is for us our wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption. (Verse 30)  He is our perfect righteousness, who not only meets us in our weakness, but covers our every sin and deformity by His blood.

We humans tend to focus on the frailties and imperfections of our decaying vessels, looking, characteristically, on the outward form rather than the substance within.  But the inward reality is what matters to God, and ultimately, to us as well, since that reality is His living Presence within us; a treasure of wisdom, power and love with immeasurable value.

The Lord's evaluation of us is not by outward appearance, which is corruptible and deteriorates with time.  His indwelling Spirit, His Living Word, and the dynamic intimate relationship into which He invites us are where the real treasure is to be found!

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