“Treasure in Clay Jars”

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Meditation for Sept. 30, 2012

2 Corinthians 4:1-10

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   “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.       

     ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

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

     ⁶ For 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 God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

     ⁷ But we have this treasure in clay jars to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-10)

    

     Twelve months ago, this room was filled with people who came to witness and celebrate what was a kind of rebirth for me—a once in a lifetime event. 

      A year ago, I was ordained a teaching elder—a minister—in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 

     It was the culmination of more than 5 years of study and preparation that included seminary, a year’s internship, prayer, learning Hebrew and Greek, passing the Presbyterian ordination exams, and serving as a chaplain. 

     It was the day I said, “Yes,” with butterflies in my stomach, to Christ’s call to follow Him.  And, at the same time, “Yes” to this congregation’s call to be your shepherd. 

   Not a day goes by that I don’t marvel at what God has called me to.  I am so blessed! Sometimes, though, I wonder, “Why me?”  Even after a year.  Why would He call someone as ordinary and flawed as me to participate in such an extraordinary thing?

    Because this is an extraordinary work—this ministry God has given us in His mercy.  This household of faith we call Ebenezer Presbyterian in Southwestern Minnesota—3 and ½ miles north of Renville on a tar road.

    As I studied this passage in Second Corinthians this week, I heard in Paul’s words the call to ministry once again, as if it were for the first time.

    And, as it was in the beginning, it was a humbling experience.

     This passage is encouragement to all who seek to serve the Lord with their lives.  I pray it will be an encouragement to you today.

     Paul tells us that ministry is not about me.  It’s not about us.  We aren’t preaching ourselves.  We are preaching Jesus Christ as Lord.

     Ministry requires putting our trust in and holding fast to this “treasure in clay jars.” This all-surpassing power within us is not from us!  We didn’t put it there!  And it isn’t a reward for great things we have done.

     This is God’s gift.

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    Pottery from ancient civilizations is precious to us—now—because of its age and because it is so rare.  A piece of 2,000- year old pottery is an artifact, something we see only behind glass in museums or in the pages of Smithsonian Magazine and National Geographic. We don’t view pottery from the Apostle Paul’s time the same way we see our own plates, cups, forks and spoons in our kitchen cabinets and drawers today.

    But Paul is not talking about artifacts when he talks about “treasure in clay jars.” The “clay jars” to which he refers are ordinary vessels in plentiful supply that hold liquids stored and poured out every day, liquids such as water, oil, and wine. 

   Clay jars were practical, necessary tools. Functional, not beautiful.

   Clay jars are US.  The Old Testament often refers to God the Creator as the Potter and human beings as His “clay.”  The New Testament speaks of our flesh, our bodies, as vessels of the Holy Spirit.

    In our 2^nd Corinthians passage, Paul speaks of this treasure that is a light—His light—that shines in our hearts and gives us knowledge, understanding, of God’s glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ. 

    This is the same light that shone in the darkness on the first day of Creation when God said, “Let there be light.”

   This light, this treasure, is not like a “treasure” of this world.  It isn’t the stuff of pirate’s dreams.  It isn’t found with a treasure map, and X never marks the spot. It is revealed only through God’s Word and Spirit and to only those who have been given eyes to see it. Paul tells us that not everyone will see this light because some have been blinded by the gods of this world.

     The Lord reminds me every day when I wake up that He is the light. He is the one who will shine through us in the darkness and enable us to be His loving presence in a broken and hurting world, whether we feel worthy of carrying His light or not.

    So give thanks to God that you can see the light!   And forget about your past. Forget about yourself!!  This is a God thing!

    And God uses ordinary clay jars that He is lovingly shaping with His hands. Ordinary clay jars that He will be faithful to fill up with His spiritual gifts and pour out every day.  If it is your desire to please Him.

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     A year after my ordination, this is what I hear the Spirit saying:

     To those who have been given much, much is required.  And the Lord has blessed me with much so that I would be useful to Him and a servant to the children of God.

     The Lord is telling us, “Don’t say, ‘I can’t’ when I call you to MY work.  Because I can! You are MY clay jar that I am molding and shaping with my hands. 

     “I will fill you up.  I will pour you out.   I will fill you up again.”

     The Lord assures us, “My treasure isn’t meant for you to hoard or hide in your homes or at your church, lest thieves break in and steal. 

     “My treasure is my Son, Jesus Christ. And you will carry Him in your hearts everywhere you go. And I want you to go to all the nations. It is My light that dwells within you that I want you to give away—and give and give and give.

    “The more you give my treasure away, the more I will give to you to empower you to do what I want you to do.  To build My Kingdom with Me. 

     “My treasure will never run out.

     “My treasure in clay jars.” 

Will you pray with me?

      Holy God, our Creator, thank you for being our Potter and choosing us to be Your clay!  Thank you for your love and patience with us as we struggle with feelings of unworthiness for Your call on our lives.  Help us to trust that it is Your treasure in us, Your light that leads and empowers us to do Your Will.  Remind us that we shouldn’t rely on our own strength or wisdom or take credit for Your work, because Your thoughts are not ours; Your ways are too wonderful for us.  Give us courage to carry Your light that means life to those who are perishing, Your treasure, to all the nations.  Lead us humbly on, following in the footsteps of our Savior Jesus Christ.  In His name we pray.  Amen.