Jars of Clay

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Observation

The image of the clay jar is one of scriptures memorable quotes; it is just a perfect description of who and what we are. We are not gold or china, we are not special we are simple. We are not steel that can’t be damaged, no we are fragile and for most of us we are broken too. Yet, we are the vessels that have been chosen to carry the message of Christ’s redemption to the world.

We these clay jars wrestle with the pressures of this world on every side, yet we are not crushed, not despairing, not abandoned, and not destroyed. Why is it that just simple clay pots can sustain this type of persecution? We persevere because we carry around Jesus. Simple earthen vessels carry in them the creator of the world, giving up our lives for others to understand true life in Jesus Christ.

Application

Take the time to sit and meditate on the truth that you are a vessel that holds within it Christ!

Prayer

Lord of all glory; you fill me, a clay jar with your awesome glory. May I be all that I need to be so that life may come to the world that is dyeing without knowing your grace?