“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
(2 Corinthians 4:7-12, ESV)
An ancient fable tells the story about two clay pots. Early each morning, an old farmer would carry the two pots down to the river to retrieve water. However, one of the pots had several fissures around its frame. By the time the farmer returned home, the cracked pot had lost all its water.
One day while the farmer was out in the field, the cracked pot turned to its unbroken partner and said, “I don’t see any purpose for me. When our master walks us back from the river, all the contents of my jar are emptied because of these cracks in my side. You, on the other hand, return home with every drop of water. Our master uses your water to clean and cook and wash the clothes. Your usefulness is quite clear.”
Just then the old farmer returned having heard most of the cracked pot’s words. The farmer turned to the cracked pot and said, “You don’t understand how important you are to me. Yes, it’s true that I use the water I collect with your brother to clean, cook, and wash. But what you don’t realize is that the water I fill in your jar falls on the side of the path where I keep my garden. I use the water that drips from your cracks to nourish my tomatoes and squash and carrots and beans. You helped put food on my table. You are more useful to me that you will ever know.”
You and I were made to serve. God has saved us through the precious sacrifice of Jesus so that we might be sent beyond the walls of the church to serve the world God so dearly loves. Paul claimed that “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, ESV). Paul’s point is that God has placed the light and power of His love in us, these jars of earthen clay, so that through us God’s love might shine upon the people around us.
However, the manner by which God reveals God’s power (believe it or not) is oftentimes shown through our weaknesses. Have you ever noticed how fragile clay can be once it is shaped, fired, and cured? The truth is that clay pots can crack. Therefore, you and I are cracked pots.
Paul admitted that life isn’t easy or fair. In truth, said Paul, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10). I don’t have the answer as to why God allows bad things to happen to ordinary people. But one thing I have learned is this: God never wastes our pain.
You see, in order for the light and power of Jesus to shine through these jars of clay, they must be cracked. I’m not suggesting for a moment that God does the cracking. Life typically does such things on its own.
What I am suggesting is that God does use the cracks we bear, whether they be personality quirks or painful memories or tragic circumstances, to shine forth blessing upon the lives of others. Yet, in order for God to use our cracks, we must be willing to admit that we have them. We must stop denying them or covering them up. We must face our faults, fears, and failures head on. Doing so will allow others to see the light of God’s forgiveness, redemption, and love through us.
The early church was viewed by the rest of society as a weak bunch of rogues and suspect characters. Yet, when a Roman colony was hit by an illness or a natural disaster, most people fled to escape it. However, the early Christians remained behind to serve the sick and injured. As a result, hundreds of thousands of pagans embraced Christianity. The church’s generosity and compassion proved to be more influential than money or power. The service of the church changed the world.
And, if the light and love of God changed our world once, God can do it, again.
(2 Corinthians 4:7-12, ESV)
An ancient fable tells the story about two clay pots. Early each morning, an old farmer would carry the two pots down to the river to retrieve water. However, one of the pots had several fissures around its frame. By the time the farmer returned home, the cracked pot had lost all its water.
One day while the farmer was out in the field, the cracked pot turned to its unbroken partner and said, “I don’t see any purpose for me. When our master walks us back from the river, all the contents of my jar are emptied because of these cracks in my side. You, on the other hand, return home with every drop of water. Our master uses your water to clean and cook and wash the clothes. Your usefulness is quite clear.”
Just then the old farmer returned having heard most of the cracked pot’s words. The farmer turned to the cracked pot and said, “You don’t understand how important you are to me. Yes, it’s true that I use the water I collect with your brother to clean, cook, and wash. But what you don’t realize is that the water I fill in your jar falls on the side of the path where I keep my garden. I use the water that drips from your cracks to nourish my tomatoes and squash and carrots and beans. You helped put food on my table. You are more useful to me that you will ever know.”
You and I were made to serve. God has saved us through the precious sacrifice of Jesus so that we might be sent beyond the walls of the church to serve the world God so dearly loves. Paul claimed that “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, ESV). Paul’s point is that God has placed the light and power of His love in us, these jars of earthen clay, so that through us God’s love might shine upon the people around us.
However, the manner by which God reveals God’s power (believe it or not) is oftentimes shown through our weaknesses. Have you ever noticed how fragile clay can be once it is shaped, fired, and cured? The truth is that clay pots can crack. Therefore, you and I are cracked pots.
Paul admitted that life isn’t easy or fair. In truth, said Paul, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10). I don’t have the answer as to why God allows bad things to happen to ordinary people. But one thing I have learned is this: God never wastes our pain.
You see, in order for the light and power of Jesus to shine through these jars of clay, they must be cracked. I’m not suggesting for a moment that God does the cracking. Life typically does such things on its own.
What I am suggesting is that God does use the cracks we bear, whether they be personality quirks or painful memories or tragic circumstances, to shine forth blessing upon the lives of others. Yet, in order for God to use our cracks, we must be willing to admit that we have them. We must stop denying them or covering them up. We must face our faults, fears, and failures head on. Doing so will allow others to see the light of God’s forgiveness, redemption, and love through us.
The early church was viewed by the rest of society as a weak bunch of rogues and suspect characters. Yet, when a Roman colony was hit by an illness or a natural disaster, most people fled to escape it. However, the early Christians remained behind to serve the sick and injured. As a result, hundreds of thousands of pagans embraced Christianity. The church’s generosity and compassion proved to be more influential than money or power. The service of the church changed the world.
And, if the light and love of God changed our world once, God can do it, again.