Jars of Clay

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power
belongs to God, not us. 1 Corinthians 4:7

When I first read 1 Corinthians 4:7, the meaning was cloudy. Why would anyone put treasure in a clay jar? Clay jars are fragile and can break easily. Once dropped, get a broom, sweep the pieces, and place them in the trash. Clay jars, also known as earthen vessels, were everyday household items in ancient times, used for storing various goods such as water, oil, and grain. No one would dare store expensive perfume or gold coins (treasure) in something ordinary that could be broken apart.

Then there are the symbolic questions. Who is the clay jar, and what is the treasure? What is the apostle Paul trying to tell us about the power of God? if Christians are the jars, and the treasure is the power of God in us, what does that say about God?

Christians are fragile, imperfect vessels. Having God's power doesn’t change who we are. We hold the most potent force in the universe in us, yet we don’t deserve it and, most of the time, don’t know what to do with it.

This verse showed how God could use something ordinary to achieve something extraordinary. With the light of Christ in us, even our cracks can let God shine through. It’s good not to have cracks in our jar if the treasure in us is filled with some liquid or grain. But the treasure is the Holy Spirit, and our cracks only allow his light to shine even brighter.

• Peter, just a fisherman, became the leader of the first-century church.
• David, the shepherd boy, became king.
• Rahab, the prostitute
• Samson, the strongman and womanizer
• The Samaritan woman, an outcast
• John Newton, a slave trader
• Abraham Lincoln, a hick from the Kentucky backwoods
• Chuck Colson, politician and convicted felon, who started Prison Fellowship
• RC Sproul, a college freshman with a nicotine addiction, became a renowned theologian and author of over 80 books.
• Tim Tebow, a high-risk birth baby, Heisman Trophy winner, and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation
• Joni Eareckson Tada, A quadriplegic who became an inspirational author and speaker.
• Paul Veerman…well, just a seven-year-old nobody kid
• YOU!

Cracks don’t matter. Your jar doesn’t have to be beautiful or perfect. The apostle Paul is saying that we are fragile vessels containing the precious message of the gospel.

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16