JARS OF CLAY

 

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

 

JARS OF CLAY

 

2 Cor 4:6-10

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

 

          Jars of clay. In danger of impact from without and pressure from within. Fragile. Brittle. Mortal. Terminal, as it is appointed to us (Hebrews 9:27) but what of the contents? What of this treasure? What IS the treasure?

 

          Is it our individual spirits? We have been made “a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). But that can’t be the treasure because it is already owned by all. Eternal and unending, but where, and how? Until we can feel confident in the answer to those questions, we must safeguard the jar.  We cushion it, patch it, and hide it away because it holds an incalculable treasure.

 

          But the real treasure is THE LIGHT (2 Cor. 4:6), and THE LIFE (verse 10). It is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus. It has shone in and enlightened our hearts, that jar of clay inside the jar of clay. The real seat of the real us. It is protected from trouble on the outside and from distress on the inside. It gives guidance when perplexed and hope for despair. More precious than rubies and fine gold tried in the fire. It is the life of Jesus manifest in our bodies.

          Cast down but not destroyed! Oh, the jars of clay may shatter but the true treasure is not destroyed. Do you have this great treasure? It is of infinite worth and extreme in cost, but it is free for the asking.

 

Luke 12:32

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

Dear Lord, let me not despair for the jar, but rejoice in its treasure. AMEN