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Treasure in Jars of Clay

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 ESV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV

A fragile clay pot. Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash

I have some clay pots that I have planted in over the years. Many at this point are cracked or chipped because they are somewhat fragile and break easily. In Biblical times clay pots were common and used to store grains, water, oil, and even scrolls. Isaiah’s metaphor that we, God’s people, are the clay and God, our Father, is the potter who created us, would be well understood in his time.

In our second verse, Paul uses this same metaphor, that we are “jars of clay”, but he adds that we have “this treasure” within us. What is “this treasure?”

Though we are fragile human beings, weak and imperfect, like jars of clay, we have been given  this priceless treasure of God’s glory, the knowledge of His saving power, and the light of the Gospel of Jesus within us! Even though we are weak jars of clay, we carry God’s message of love and hope and salvation to share with others.

Every time you shine the light of God and Jesus for others to see, you share this treasure that has been entrusted to you. You let others see that even though you may be weak and common, that God’s love, the message of Jesus, and salvation are gifts from God, true treasures that change lives.

Paul gives us a bit more advice at the end of 2 Corinthians 4. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18b ESV

We, like jars of clay, are transient, impermanent, lasting for only a short time, temporary. But the treasure within us is eternal. And as we share this treasure with others, and they, too, receive this priceless treasure; we become eternal.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we explore this eternal treasure within us.

Blessings and joy as we let God’s glory and light shine from jars of clay!

5 comments

  1. Such an apt metaphor, so visual and relatable. When I think of clay pots and damaged human beings, I also think of kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pots to display their imperfections rather than disguise them, as if to say “Here I am, a flawed person who has survived and I have the scars to prove it.” In our weakness and imperfections, we are beautiful and unique.

    Always a pleasure to read your essays, Peggy. I’m sorry for having been absent and neglectful as of late with the blogs of others. Your blog is deeply meaningful and important to me. I hope you’re doing well and that September is treating you generously, my friend. 😊

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    • Thank you, Mike, as always for your kindness and encouragement! I have not heard of kintsugi. I love the idea of repairing the broken pots and displaying their “scars!” Our scars are a part of who we are and who we can become.
      Blessings, my friend!😊

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  2. As I was driving to work late yesterday, I was thinking of this metaphor in the scripture. Was telling myself it was never right for the clay to tell the Potter, “I dont like what you’re doing, mate.”
    It’s like the almighty wanted to affirm this to me this morning via your blog post, Peggy.
    As always, your posts are timely and a spiritual blessing.
    God bless you, my friend.

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