Jars of Clay

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

Today I, along with the uncountable across the globe, will stand and preach the gospel. I’ve done the same thing most Sundays the majority of my life. It is always delivered from a heart that doesn’t feel very important, that asks the question, ‘who am I to speak about the glory of God in Jesus? (v6) I am a mere man, ordinary and this not to be self-deprecating, but the gospel flows from a common place, like a jar of clay being a familiar part of every day life, that’s who I am. That’s who we all are. Common jars of clay.

It is always delivered from a heart that is weak and that is vulnerable because I continue to ask the question, ‘who am I to call people from darkness into light?’ (v6). I have an acute self-awareness of my own sinful nature, my own brokenness, a humanity that is flawed. That’s who we all are. Broken jars of clay, shattered so easily, dropped or pushed over and ready to be discarded.

This isn’t to sound morbid. It is how it is supposed to be. For what will flow from me today and from you and the many is the power of God, which has got nothing to do with me, but all of Him and for Him. He is the potter and we are the clay. The potter does all the work. He creates and we are worked upon and He produces something beautiful in His hands.

I am more than happy to be ordinary and aware of my own frailty. I am just a jar of clay. Today the ‘all-surpassing power is from God and not from (me)’.

I am happy because I am chosen. I am loved. And so are you. In whatever situation and circumstance you are in, God chose you. Our boast is in Him, in His wisdom and righteousness. He covers all our ordinariness and weakness, sins and brokenness with His blood.

So today we walk as a jar of clay confidently not in our own ability but the power of a Saviour. Our strength comes from Him.

Yes. I would much rather be a jar of clay wouldn’t you?