We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
—2 Corinthians 4:7 (NRSVUE)
2 Corinthians 4:7 reads, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”.
“This verse uses the metaphor of “jars of clay” to represent humans, while the “treasure” is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the light of God’s glory. The verse emphasizes that the extraordinary power and impact of the gospel are not due to human abilities, but rather to God’s power working through seemingly ordinary and fragile vessels.” (AI notes )
I love the way AI has clarified God as the potter and we are the clay.
Yet you, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NIV)
This leaves me asking myself the questions.
What has my failures and successes taught me about myself? And/or others? How does my faith shine as a light of God’s glory? Do I understand our calling of and how to be a clay jar?
thedailylily.com 
Your photo, Sara, “Jars of Clay, light and fruit” is a beautiful one and I think shows how the clay, light and fruit are connected when God uses them.
I noticed that each piece of pottery was unique, created by the artists for a special purpose. When they are filled with whatever they were made for to hold and use, then they become truly useful.
Reminds me of a poem you had in Lesson 7 of your book, “Dressing for His Glory”, by an unknown author called, “Earthen Vessels” which described God using vessels. Here is a part of the poem that seems so relevant to the blog:
“Close to His feet on the pathway,
Empty, and frail, and small,
An earthen vessel was lying,
Which seemed no use at all;
But the Master saw, and raised it
From the dust in which it lay,
And smiled, as He gently whispered,
“This shall do My work today.”
“It is but an ‘earthen’ vessel,
But it lay so close to Me;
It is small, but it is empty-
That is all it needs to be.”
So to the fountain He took it,
And filled it full to the brim;
How glad was the earthen vessel
To be of some use to Him!”
thank you Debi for reminding me of this poem💙🙏✝️
Debi, the tallest was made for pouring wine! I often wonder water or wine?
“Debi, the tallest was made for pouring wine! I often wonder water or wine?”
Sara, thanks for sharing the use of the tall one. As I thought about your question, “…water or wine?”, I see that the bible tells us that both can be useful and have a purpose.
Luke 10:34 gives a good example of a human ‘jar of clay’ that may have used a similar ‘jar of clay’’ (such as is on the table in the picture) to do just what Tammy wrote about: “Paul’s focus, however, was not on the perishable container, but on its priceless contents—God’s power dwelling in us.”
“Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”
And Jesus tells us about the water of Life that He pours out on the thirsty in John 4:14.
“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14
The footnotes for 2 Corinthians 4:7 says: (NLT) “The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings. Paul’s focus, however, was not on the perishable container, but on its priceless contents—God’s power dwelling in us. Though we are ‘ fragile, clay jars,’ God uses us to spread his Good News, and he gives us power to do his work. Knowing that the power is his, not ours, should keep us from pride and motivate us to keep daily contact with God, our power source. Our responsibility is to let people see God through us.”
“Paul’s focus, however, was not on the perishable container, but on its priceless contents…” from Tammy’s footnotes…
if I were to apply this to Blogs questions; “What has my failures and successes taught me about myself? And/or others? How does my faith shine as a light of God’s glory? Do I understand our calling of and how to be a clay jar?” I might hang my head in shame that I might be walking around with shoes on the wrong feet by showing my focus seems in reverse all too often. “Sara’s focus, however, was on the perishable container, not on its priceless contents…”
If I do the principles Jesus taught and response dosent go the way I thought would Paul or Sara be right?
I love the picture above and especially the cross ✝️ on the one to the right
A coffee mug showing the cross as a reminder over my coffee chats what is this chat about? Hopefully, the ✝️
Beautiful , and I think I may see a heart shape on the cross also? 💙
Without the 🩷 the ✝️ would only be an ornament! We are so loved by God He gave His heart so we to could love one another.
Did you notice one of the mugs has a fish? I’m always amazed how Jesus found not only cross coffee chats but loved sharing fish meals and fisherman friends. And, a flower vase for maybe a rose while enjoying wedding wine.
When we let our imagination explore earthen vessels filled with God’s love as told by him and others in God’s word fruit of the spirit flows freely and many mysteries are unlocked as parables open up to us like a bright star on a dark night!