Jars of Clay

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. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

We know we're imperfect, flawed people in a fallen world. Paul calls us "earthen vessels". Isaiah talks about the potsherd striving with the clay (see Isaiah 45:9). Others have referred to humanity as jars or pots of clay. In fact, Genesis 2:7 tells us that God made man from "the dust of the ground," the same place we get clay.

But clay vessels are fragile and easily broken. However, if we have Jesus' light within us, He can shine His light into the world even better from a cracked, chipped container. He can use our brokenness for good if we let Him. We can be more understanding of other broken people, and extend His grace and love to them. We can help pull them to Him. Through our brokenness, He can show His power and glory for we realize the strength within us is not our own.

In biblical times, what gave a clay jar its value wasn't the vessel itself but what it contained. We are precious to Jesus; He gave His life that we might live with Him in eternity. He loves us unconditionally and sees our potential. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He comes to live inside us in the form of the Holy Spirit. We are His treasures inside jars of clay.

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