Jar Of Clay

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, is having a very deep heart-filled and Spirit-engendered talk with the Corinthian Church. This talk is necessary at this particular point in time, in an environment, a climate, which is becoming infiltrated by what is not of the Lord.  Paul is educating them and reminding them of who he and all the other servants of God are to them. In speaking of their ministry to the people, Paul is upfront and most transparent about the fact that they have received this ministry through God’s mercy and not because of any goodness of their own. That is the power which drives them on and on so that they do not lose heart. He speaks about their obedience, honesty and stubbornness in preaching Jesus Christ as Lord. Regardless of what they or others may be saying about them and doing to them, Paul is firm in this one fact. They only preach themselves as the people’s servants, for the sake of Jesus their Lord and Master.

In this most honest and God-revealing truth, Paul speaks profound truths to all of us who are Jesus’ servants. Whether we have been called and chosen to be servants to unlatch the shoes of Jesus, or we have been called and chosen to receive the feet of Jesus, to take His Gospel from place to place, any work of His only comes through Father, Creator God. Just listen to Paul! For God, who said, ‘Let Light shine out of darkness’, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6. It is God who has made all this happen. It is God who decided to do this and has done it.

Then Paul makes this super-claim, if we are indeed servants of Jesus and claim to be His witnesses. If we are faithfully working for the advancement of the Kingdom of God here on earth, then all the surpassing riches which our Lord has provided for us and has generously poured out into us and upon us, is for now. Here is the super-claim. 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.

 Remember, Paul is not speaking about himself only, as a super-apostle. He is speaking about God and all that He does for the servants of Christ Jesus. What does this say to you and to me? Whatever you are hearing, if these are not among them, will you hear them? 

Every treasure that God, in His mercy, has poured out into us, is in us now, while we are in human clay. We are the earthen vessels or jars into which He has dared to immeasurably pour out His unsearchable riches.

God does not wait until we have spiritual bodies, to empty His treasures into. No! That would defeat all His plans and purpose. God has done this in us, clay jars, with all our imperfections, so that the all-surpassing power, seen in His servants, will be of God and not of any human power or works.  

Now this is the one that totally stuns me and blows my mind. God is not ignorant of the fact that He is putting His precious treasure in jars of clay. Clay jars are fragile, easily cracked and broken, becoming faulty, yet God chose it this way. Why? Why has God done this? Is it because He is so full of riches, never ending riches that He does not care if some are lost or are wasted? God forbid! Absolutely not! It is because He is God, He is the all-mighty, all-powerful, all-commanding Lord and there is absolutely nothing that He can’t do. Our God is more than able to make clay jars fit and fixed for His service.

O frail, human vessel, God is sufficient for you. He is more than enough to keep you strong and firm in Him. Yes, you are a clay jar, but believe and receive all God’s works in you, to make you and keep you in His heavenly pride and joy, right here on earth; you, jar of clay.