Treasure in Clay Jars

Scripture 2 Corinthians 4:7–12 (NRSV)

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.

Meditation:

            Just for your information about half of these meditations I write come from ideas that God has planted in my mind about how I am to make amendment to my own life. I just share them because I figure someone else out there may need to hear the same word. Today’s message is definitely one of the words God has given for my own edification and I trust it will bless you as well.

            Today Paul talks about ‘treasure in clay jars’. What exactly is Paul trying to get at here. It appears that Paul wants his readers to know that all the power, all the teaching in fact anything that could be called good fruit of his ministry does not come from him but from God alone.

            Similarly we will do well to remember that the good that flows out of our lives has its ultimate source in God. As C. S. Lewis said somewhere in Mere Christianity “many of the things we take as proof that we are Godly men and women may simply be the result of good digestion or a naturally sunny disposition.” (Paraphrased.) Our real work in God is to clean out those areas that are gritty and dirty and smooth out the rough edges of our personalities.

            Paul very likely had this passage from Jeremiah in the back of his mind while writing today’s scripture passage.  Jeremiah 18:1–6 (NRSV)

18 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. ⁴ The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. ⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁶ Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? Says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

            Do we trust God enough to let God make us into the kind of vessel from which God’s glory will shine forth like the noonday sun? God will do it if we will let it happen! Amen

Prayer:

Lord, remake us into the kind of people who will let your glory shine through unhindered by our sinful human nature. Revive in us your Holy Spirit that we may cling fiercely to the good and despise the evil. Teach us to love others regardless of our external circumstances. Mold us and make us into your image more and more each day. Amen.