The Jar of clay and its Treasure
Today we are looking at 2 corinthians 4:5-7 Which incidentally is where I got the name for this blog. This verse has always spoken to me in a special way and I hope you see why in a minute.
2 corinthians 5:5-7 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.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.
Verse number seven speaks of a treasure inside of a vessel made of earth or clay.
What is an earthen vessel?
The jar is a simple thing.
We don’t put a lot of value in a jar like this. Usually we do not receive one of these as an inheritance. We dont think of these as being pretty and they generally arent expensive. It’s a little ugly and doesn’t have much value. It is something ordinary.
A jar is a useful thing.
We all have to have jars to put stuff in! You need one to carry water or to store food. and if you wanted you could use it as a weapon against a snake or spider! But of course we know that a jar, although it is made of dirt or clay, is something usable. it is something necessary.
the interesting part is what is inside of the jar. It’s a treasure.
Something of great value, something very special, something precious! A thing of worth that gives meaning and purpose to this standard jar.
We’re normal, aren’t we? Most people don’t have much money. Most people dont have alot of power in government. and most people arent famous. At least, it’s like that in my world! But if you have Christ in your heart you already have the greatest treasure in the world! salvation.
Christ is the treasure within us, shining to the world around us. Each of us who believes in Jesus Christ and has salvation is carrying the glorious presence of God mighty in his heart! We are different because of Jesus Christ. outside we are normal but inside we carry the treasure of salvation through Jesus Christ. We find our identity, our purpose for living, and our true worth in Jesus Christ.
1 peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light
Christ wants us to show this treasure to the world around us. we are needed to bring the gospel to others. God chose to use humans to spread the gospel. He could have used the angels, or a sign in the clouds, if He wanted to, but he didn’t. We are changed for the purpose of encouraging and helping others and spreading the Gospel. God wants to use each of us. He is looking for someone to show his glory to the world, and he chose us.
Today’s goal is for you to pray that God uses you, in one way or another, to help someone, to give encouragement. He wants someone to be ministered to by the glorious treasure that is within you.