A CLAY JAR

Back when I was in school we had art classes throughout elementary (primary) school and even on into high school (secondary).  If you are like me and had to take those classes, you had the experience of making a clay pot.  I well remember one I made.  It was supposed to be a cabbage (who knows why...).  I never did feel satisfied with my art projects but my mother liked it and kept it for years!  She finally gave it back to me when she had to downsize for moving into a small home.  For Mom's sake, I kept it around (not on display!).  

How many of you decided to keep your most precious treasures in the clay pot you made?  You can purchase a clay pot in the garden center.  Would you put your valuables in that clay pot?  

I venture to say that we are all aware of the fragility of a clay pot.  Probably we have all managed to break one sometime over the years.  We wouldn't consider keeping a treasure in such a pot.  

Now, consider 2 Corinthians 4:5-7: For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

What!?  This great treasure is in jars of clay!!  God's people are the jars of clay!  I am a clay jar!  So are you!  We are fragile, breakable, and pretty much ordinary.  Yet, God chose to give us the great treasure of the gospel.

We are weak so that God's power can be seen clearly.  Everyone of us is nothing more than clay.  But we have a great treasure.  Praise God!  

This scripture came to mind during our Sunday morning Bible class.  We were talking about the story of Moses needing help to hold up the staff of God while the Israelites were in battle with the Amalekites.  Every time Moses' arms got tired and the staff of God was lowered, the battle turned in favor of the Amalekites.  When Moses' held up the staff of God the Israelites prevailed.  I certainly don't know the reasons why it happened that way but one reason may be so that the Israelites would clearly see that they were weak without God working through them.  They were clay.

When we are weak the power of God can be more clearly seen.  Rejoice in being a clay jar for God!