Treasure in Jars of Clay ...

Friday, Oct 4, 2013. Sometimes it is good to use strong images when we want to make thinks very clear. The Apostle Paul in this 2nd letter to the Corinthians writes about some treasure, which is transported in jars of clay. Let us have a look - and also think about what this has to do with the focus of our faith:

Valuable treasure - what is it? …

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Cor 4: 5-7)

Paul is talking about some treasures, which those have in them who believe in Christ. This treasure is the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. It is not the light of knowledge of science, not of philosophy, not of art. It is knowledge about the glory of God - much deeper, much broader, completely different. It is knowledge of God through Christ. In him, we see God. In him, wee experience the Lord. Through him, God talks to us - that happened 2000 years ago, and it is happening today. Yes, today he is talking to us, to our mind, and into our heart!

Not ourselves …

We are weak. We are not powerful. We would like to be stronger. We would like to have more money, more influence, more. But God keeps us small and simple. He does not want our power or money to be in the focus, but his message, his word, his supply of things. HE wants to be the focus!

There is surpassing power in us - it is the light which God gives to us through Christ. It is the knowledge of him, the knowledge of the origin and center of our world. It is the knowledge of his love, his truth, his perseverence. It is so much, which we know!

When you feel small, with a lot of trouble in your life - then you are right there where God's power can start to grow. Let us turn to him and search him, who is the origin of all wisdom, the king of kings, and the lord of lords. Let us turn to Christ Jesus. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts