God Speaking

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all – surpassing power is from God not rom us.”

(2 Corinthians 4: 7)

Many, many stories are written about the quest to find hidden treasure, from wild stories of pirates hiding their loot on isolated islands, to archeologists discovering amazing tombs filled with artifacts worth millions of dollars.   Just recently there was a story about two room mates who bought an old, second hand sofa at a thrift store and when they were trying to clean it, back at their apartment, one of the cushions came off and to their surprise, hidden underneath was a stack of money. Somebody had been using the sofa to store their treasure.

People store, what they consider to be treasure in all sorts of odd places. One old grandmother I knew had a beaten up biscuit tin where she always kept her spare change, figuring nobody would think to look there.

So when Paul says we have a treasure in jars of clay we can relate to what he is saying, the vessel carrying the treasure is not the important part, but what is inside.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet describes us as being moulded by the Heavenly Potter;

“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64: 8)

When my children were young, working with clay was part of the arts and handwork at school, and I can vividly remember them racing in after school to show me the amazing shapes they had made. I must be honest, it was difficult to equate with what they were telling me it was as to what I could see, but because they had made it, these works of art were always displayed on the sideboard next to my fine china.

Not only does the Heavenly Father lovingly mould us, he sees each one of us as his treasured possession.

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession…” (Exodus 19: 5)

I love that reassurance that it is not the jar itself that is so important. It is not how clever we are or how beautiful we are.  It is not how charming or talented we are. We are just the vessel carrying the most incredible treasure given to mankind, if we accept this beautiful gift from the Lord Jesus Christ.  When people see a difference in the way we live they will want to find out how the treasure we carry within us can be theirs as well.

Isaiah also provides the clue that unleashes this amazing treasure;

“The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”  (Isaiah 33: 5 – 6)