FEBRUARY 21, 2013
Jars
of Clay
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
We have this treasure
in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power
may be of God and not of
us. —2
Corinthians 4:7
When
you buy a nice piece of jewelry, it is often tucked into a setting of black-
or
dark-colored velvet. I think it’s designed that way so that your attention is
immediately drawn to the beauty of the jewelry. If the packaging were highly
decorated, it would compete with the beauty of the treasure.
It
reminds me of Paul’s comments about the ministry of Jesus through us,
when he
said, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Cor. 4:7 niv). It’s easy
to forget that we are the packaging and His work is
the treasure. So we adorn
our jars of clay, taking credit for the things we do
to serve Christ. We seek to
bring glory to ourselves when we’ve forgiven
someone, or shown mercy, or
given generously. The problem is, when we start
seeking affirmation and praise
for good deeds, we compete with the brilliance
of the treasure of God working
through us.
When
we do things for Christ, it’s not about us but about His glory. The less
obvious we are, the more brilliant He becomes. Which is why, Paul says, the
treasure has been put in jars of clay so that God would be the one to be
glorified.
Besides, since when are jars of clay significant? It’s what’s inside
that counts!
Help us not to cloud God’s glory
Nor with self His light to dim;
May each thought to Christ be captive,
Emptied to be filled with Him. —Anon.
Let the brilliance of the treasure of Christ
shine through you as you live for Him.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
