Treasure in Clay Jars

By: Joseph Murdy, Intern
Every time I think about clay jars, the first thought I usually have is how easily they break. If you have ever handled clay jars you understand that a single slip can result in a thousand pieces. No one really tends to keep anything of tremendous value in them, mostly plants. Clay jars are natural pottery, in the sense that most are made from natural elements found in the earth, such as clay for example. They can take many shapes and sizes, some can be painted, and some are kept inside and others outside. But, no matter how you look at them, they all have one thing in common. They are fragile.
Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians (4:1-15) talks about the fragility of human life. We are faced with so many obstacles, challenges, and fears. Take heart, this is part of being human. Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’m being pushed to the breaking point.” We bear witness to our human fragility every day, from scraped knees, terminal illness, to broken hearts and misplaced hope. Paul assures us by saying, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”(8-10)
We my friends are clay jars. Molded out of the earth from the creators hands. We are fragile, and yet our pieces of clay have been strengthened by Christ who holds us together. In ancient times when a clay pot broke they were often to expense for people to afford new ones. They would make a strong mixture of wax to piece the pieces together. The pieces would hold so well, they could continue to carry water.
“But, we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”(7) We are blessed to carry the incredible news of Jesus Christ, the Gospel. The life changing good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is carried in clay jars, you and me. That is truly an awesome treasure! God’s love for us is so extraordinary that He places this most precious message in the hands of His clay jars. We are called to carry this extraordinary message of love and grace throughout the world. Remember no matter how many times we break, crack or leak, God’s hand is putting us back together.