The Apostle Paul had reason to be put on a pedestal. He had traveled the known world, winning souls and starting churches. Miracles happened at his word. His writing makes up the bulk of the New Testament. He was influential, impactful, and God’s man, but he took no glory or pride from it.
Paul wrote, “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, CSB)
The treasure and the power that Paul speaks of are not what you may think. He identifies the treasure in the preceding verse, “For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, CSB) The treasure is “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” It’s not a light he created, but a light God shone on his heart. God shines through Jesus; we reflect His glory.
Ah, but what about power? Surely, that is all about doing miraculous things like Paul? But is that our focus? You see, Paul went on to describe something different. “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–10, CSB)
Paul didn’t glory in what God was doing through him. He diminished his role to shine God’s light and power even more. We also have this treasure in earthen vessels, jars of clay, and even in cracked pots. We, too, may be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and oppressed, but through the power of God, the treasure of God shines in the darkness. Yet, we remain simple, fragile jars of clay.
There are two take-aways in these verses. The first takeaway is for those who feel too unworthy, unprepared, and uncomfortable to be used by God. I hope you take heart in what Paul said and realize that God can use you as you are. The second takeaway is for those who glory in their name, title, position, knowledge, or experience. Not even Paul did that. You are not the treasure; repent of your pride. You are, after all is said and done, jars of clay.
And, to be complete, the same goes for me as well. I am simply a jar of clay that seeks nothing more than for the light of Jesus to shine all the more. I hope that you also share that same attitude in Christ.
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