We Have This Treasure

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4: 7

Isn’t it simply miraculous the way our bodies work? Every intricate detail is in sync with all the different organs and systems to work efficiently – most of the time! What an amazing creation God wove into being!

In this Scripture passage, Paul refers to our bodies as clay pots or jars. These earthen vessels were especially valuable in early civilizations so it was not unusual for Paul to use this comparison for the people of his day. Hopefully, we too know that our bodies are priceless treasures in God’s eyes and should be in our own. In this verse, Paul is referring to an even greater treasure that can be found deep within us, in the inner recesses of our hearts.

A clay pot or jar’s purpose is to be useful, to be filled and emptied for some constructive purpose. God longs to fill our pots, our vessels, the essence of our being with Him, for He made us to embody and display the loving life of Christ. But many of us have filled ours with useless things, and there seems little room left over for what truly matters. Some are full of thoughts of ourselves and our importance. Others are filled with greed, desire for success, or things of this world.

And sometimes our hearts and minds are filled to the brim with disappointment, anger, heartache, sadness, unfilled hopes and dreams, and the burdens of life. God longs to empty us of those burdens, and He desires that we come to Him to be filled with the goodness that He has to give. Sometimes we may feel too unworthy to do so and think “God would never accept and love someone like me”.

How untrue that is, for our God loves and desires for each of us to come to Him, no matter our condition or status. Even we can recognize that the greatest treasures can sometimes be found in the most ordinary of flawed pots. Often we love the old, worn containers with all their character and uniqueness, with their cracks and flaws, and we search for these special finds. Just like these vessels which have become worn over time are fragile and can be easily broken, so are our bodies and our spirits. We all have our flaws, our brokenness, and those “cracked”, hurtful places that life has given us.

God knows this and searches for ways to bring us to Him. He knows of our experiences and pain, and He longs to fill us with His love and the amazing power of His Spirit – even if our “vessels” are flawed and cracked. He will keep us in His loving care and use our lives for His glory “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

Even a pot that has fissures, or cracks can allow light to be seen, and God can shine through the cracks and flaws of our lives to show His presence and glory, as well. He will fill us with His power and grace that can sustain us in difficult times, He will use us to encourage those around us, and He will fill our lives with peace and joy.

As a vessel of life, our bodies, just like the important clay pots, were made to be useful and to serve God with our love and kindness to others. In return, believing and serving Christ gives our lives meaning and purpose, and nothing can give us the joy and contentment He can.

Within the hearts of those who have faith in Jesus Christ, this priceless spiritual treasure can be found. It is a treasure that can give us strength, comfort, and peace in our present situations and hope and confidence for our futures. These earthly vessels, our bodies, will wear out and pass away, but this eternal treasure of the heart will remain. Our faith in Christ is secure, and we have His promise that we will live with Him throughout eternity.

 Prayer

Our most gracious and loving Father, we humbly thank you for the gift of life and for the gift of your Spirit living within us. May others see your presence and love shining in us and may they know that our strength, our peace, and our hope comes not from us, but from the power of your Spirit within us. May we use this treasure to honor and glorify your name by our love and kindness to others. Amen