Daily Devotions
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
Movie premiere. Limousines arrive. Stars in glittering evening wear sweep through the crowds to the waiting door as cameras flash. Who knows what lies behind the smiling faces – loneliness, fear, arrogance, immorality, emptiness? How often we try to maintain a glittering exterior while hiding what lies inside!
Paul takes an opposite approach in describing his apostolic ministry. He refers to himself as a jar of clay, a common clay pot – ordinary, weak, sinful, no glitter. Why? He wants his treasure, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6), to shine brightly for all to see. That light can shine through the cracks in a common clay pot. No one will mistake the clay jar for the treasure. Everyone will see that “this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Which do you prefer – a glittering exterior like a movie star with nothing inside or the marvelous treasure of Christ in a common clay pot?
PRAYER: Thank You, O Lord, for giving us the treasure of Jesus Christ, the Light in our lives. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)