Jars of Clay

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

JARS OF CLAY

2 Cor 4:7-12

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 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. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

NIV

First, we need to see that jars of clay are more actually translated as earthen vessels. The idea is the same in that a jar of clay would be some form of pottery. This gives us the idea of the frailty of our bodies and how they are easily broken. Of course, there are also some differences with earthen vessels in that they can be plain unfired clay or that which has been fired in a kiln. The unfired clay is easily reshaped if it begins to decay its shape. However, the fired clay if broken would remain in pieces unless it could be glued, but then it would never be the same. What all this reminds us of is that we are the clay and God is the potter who forms us into the vessel of his choice. The purpose of being an earthen vessel formed by God is for His purpose of putting His gospel within us. It is the treasure that God has put within this frail shell He formed from clay and breathed His breath of life within. Paul also makes the point that although we may face all sorts of adversities and that we live in a mortal form that carries death within it, as Jesus died while in the flesh, we also carry life. The treasure of the gospel, the treasure of life through Jesus Christ can be revealed in our bodies. The point that we are a frail earthen vessel also means that we have not strength, no abilities, no greatness within ourselves. We are but the vessel and a clay one at that, nothing special to look at, we have no beauty or special ornamentation, but just a common clay vessel, so that the treasure is the greatness that we have within us. Our common appearance is so that the glory of Christ may be seen in us. At the wedding in Cana when the bridegroom was out of wine, and Jesus had the servants fill jars of clay with water, just simple common jars of clay, nothing special about them for they were used to carry water, and he turned that water into the best wine of all. It was in some sense the treasure of the feast yet served from jars of common clay. This is our story, being common jars of clay, we carry the treasure of God within us, Jesus Christ, and the purpose is to be used to serve this treasure to all, so Jesus is revealed in us.