2 Corinthians 4: ⁶For 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. ⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. ¹²So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

What an odd place to store a treasure…in a jar of clay. In those days food and water were carried in cheap clay jars that were common in the marketplace. Sometimes these jars would also be used to conceal hidden treasures. Other times, a wick was placed inside and the clay jar was used as a lamp holder in which the light could shine through. We can see here an obvious contrast between the cheap, fragile, unimpressive clay jar and the treasure or light that shines brightly from within.

Why did Paul describe himself and other believers as jars of clay?

Firstly he acknowledged his human frailty. You know how easy it is to catch a cold, or pull a muscle playing sports or be unable to stay awake during a long boring lecture. We could be young and fit today but eventually we wear down and become old and frail. We might not want to admit how frail we are out of pride in the same way we don’t want to admit we are sinners. But it is a fact of life. Paul himself recognised his frailty firsthand. He’d been stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned and persecuted in almost every way imaginable. Yet it was through all this suffering and hardship that God’s power could shine through. The message Paul shared to the world impacted many lives not because Paul was a superhuman or a mega-star. As Paul emphasises, it is only with the surpassing power from God that he is able to carry out his effective ministry. It is against the backdrop of human weakness that God’s power shines through.

Here’s a simple analogy. What happens when we place a painting within a stunning decorative gold frame? The painting tends to lose attention and we start focusing on the stunning frame. The same applies to Christian ministry. If we wrap the gospel message a raving concert atmosphere or an attractive celebrity then we could end up stealing the focus from Christ and focus instead on the music or the speaker. Who are we really worshipping? Time and time again we see that God uses those who are humble and contrite in heart. Those who acknowledge that they are sinners unable to save themselves. Those who realise as did King David that God was his strength:

Psalm 28: ⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. ⁸ The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Here’s another way of looking at the analogy of clay jars. After much use a jar of clay will start getting cracks and holes through wear and tear. If we see the clay jar as a lamp holder then what happens when there are holes is that the light is able to shine through more and more. And it is the same way for us. As we preach the gospel to those around us we will get battered and persecuted by those opposed to God, by our circumstances or our human weakness. If we are to be followers of Christ we must take up our cross daily. Taking up ones cross means making sacrifices. It might mean we give up time so that we can spend time with God in bible study. Or we may have to skip that television program so we can show Christian love to a friend in need. It may mean giving away money that could be spent on that large plasma television so that you can sponsor a friend on his mission trip. Also, we must live a life that is righteous and oppose the temptations of world so we may be the salt and light of the world:

Matthew 5: ¹³ "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

How salty are you? Can people see a difference in the way you live compared to others? What are you filling your life with? Are you filling it with the word of God? Or are you filling it with lusts or money or the many other distractions in life that can take you away from your Lord and Saviour? God has given you something that the world cannot give. He has given you the truths in his word as revealed by the holy spirit that lives within you. By his grace you have eternal salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Treasure this gift and don’t give it up for anything!

Remember the Samaritan woman who came to fill her jar with water at the well. Jesus offers her living water:

John 4: ¹³ Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Do you have this living water within you? Is your life empty and without purpose? Do you know God and the wonderful plans he has for your life? If not then I encourage you to speak to a Christian friend and find out more…it will change your life!