In Jars of Clay

In Jars of Clay

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

II Corinthians 4:7

The Apostle Paul is speaking of the ministry and of the value of the Message of Christ in contrast to the bearers of that Message. He puts it forth in a picturesque way when he says, ‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels….’ Here is a humbling description of us all, regardless of what title we may bear or of what office we may occupy. The greatness of the success of the Gospel lies in Christ, and in the Truth that relates to Him. This is why the right-hearted Servant of Christ recognizes that ‘He must increase and I must decrease.’ Nothing else supersedes this Person and this Message. A clear understanding of these things will assist greatly in our obtaining and maintaining a right perspective of ourselves in relation to the ministry. It will work powerfully toward preventing an unwarranted inclination to magnify and exalt mere men who are, at best, clay vessels wherein resides this great Treasure. Let Christ get all the glory. Let Him be lifted up and His Name and Work extolled. Let every other name fade into obscurity, and every other man be considered far below this Man, the Man, Christ Jesus. Today, let us clearly understand where we fit in the larger scheme of things. Christ is all.

Our Wise and Sovereign God,
we feel our own frailty very keenly.
We rejoice that You have committed this treasure into these earthen vessels.
We pray that out of them, You would bring great things and do great works of grace.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning