earthen jar

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

The gospel is a treasure that Jesus puts on display to bring glory to Himself. He did not choose elaborate cathedrals or art museums to show off the beauty of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6). Instead, Jesus is on display in the common details of the lives of His followers. We are simple pottery jars, unpolished clay pots, that Jesus lives in and through. It is in the ordinary that eternity is made known.

And the clay jars of our lives are not delicately displayed out of reach. Rather, the bumps and jostles of every day work let us shine His light everywhere. We know affliction, perplexing problems, persecution, and must identify with Christ’s suffering when we are jars of clay. Yet God is faithful so that we are not forsaken, crushed, in despair, or given over to death (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

We HAVE this treasure… right now. In spite of our experience, either good or bad, joyful or sad, healthy or suffering, easy or hard, even abundant or scarce. God is shining the light of the knowledge of the glory of Christ in us. The face of Jesus, our loving, powerful Lord, shines upon us in grace. And so we look to Him to find that the surpassing power comes from Him and not our selves. He is what is constant in our changing circumstances.

Jesus,

I am a clay jar… very plain and unremarkable. Yet You have chosen this vessel of utility to display Your glory. And in the wave of change, in the suffering and affliction, in perplexing circumstances, or in the times where Your light causes the darkness to attack, may I trust that You are the surpassing power and I am just a thin, earthenware pot… in my fragility trusting Your ability. I am humbled that You would pour Your surpassing power into me. I don’t deserve it because of my continuous failure. Please show the world that all power, glory, wisdom, and restoration belongs only to You!

Amen