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
Paul had just told the Corinthian Christians that God, who had made the light to shine out of darkness, had now shined into their hearts with the glorious Gospel of His Son. This, he said, was their greatest treasure. Then he is quick to add: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay” – the ordinary, unadorned crockery that was very much in evidence in every ancient home. The jars were useful but were seldom an item of art or beauty.
Why this language? To remind them (and us) that the power of the Gospel lies in the God-given treasure (His life-giving Word) and not in its frail and fragile containers – not in you and me who are merely the conveyors of the good news of His saving love. We are merely vessels. Pots! But we are pots that carry treasure of inestimable worth.
Not our eloquence, not our personality, not our winsomeness! But as Paul says elsewhere, it is the Gospel of Christ, and nothing else, that is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). May we both hold and share that precious treasure!
PRAYER: Lord, You have entrusted us with the treasure of Your Gospel offered in Your Word and sacraments. May we always prove faithful to that trust; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
(Devotions from “The Abundant Life” copyright 1998, 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 e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 8-9 Psalms 60 John 2
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