But 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

All of us, at one time or another, and some more than others, think that our weaknesses are a barrier to God working in our lives. If it’s not our flesh that gets in the way, it’s our emotional instability. Fears can also play a large part , maybe we feel we need to know more of the Bible or it may be just physical ability, tiredness, sickness or just plain and simple self doubt.

Add to all of this; pressures at home, pressures at work, political pressure, social pressure, that challenge our following of Christ. For some they live with real suffering, oppression and persecution.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if God wants to accomplish something great he needs great people to do it and that it’s not going to be me, therefore it must be someone else.

In our head we can think; He will chose the strong, the eloquent, those with power and influence, those that look impressive, people who make an impact on society, the influencers, people that history will remember.

As for me, I am a nobody or at best average.

Hear me out. I’m not saying that such people are of no use to God or that their earthly achievements cannot help the Kingdom of God, but they do have one disadvantage, they can be far more prone to take for themselves the credit that belongs to God. In the worst of situations they might say, “why do I need God?”

I have found that those who perceive themselves as weak apologise and put themselves down rather than brag and boast. I have also found that some strong people do not have time for weak people.

Make no mistake about it, weak or strong it is God’s aim is to bring glory to Himself and our dependency, fulfilment and satisfaction are found wholly in Him whether weak or strong. All praise goes to God. Let’s say that again, all praise goes to God.

This alone makes sense of Paul’s statement in this verse that, “we have this treasure in jars of clay,” to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Is that not true? If any degree of power derives from us or, if the praise it deserves should go to someone or something other than God, then there will be a problem.

This is why Paul was so unaffected and undisturbed by his obvious weaknesses. He was keenly aware of his shortcomings, his lack of eloquence, as well as his physical frailty.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11:30

Also some had accused him of being ‘better,’ his reply,

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one-I am talking like a madman-with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 2 Corinthians 11:23

Add to that,

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 2 Corinthians 11:24-26

Then there was,

in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 2 Corinthians 11:27

These are not the things we associate with greatness or great ministries. Some might perceive that Paul took unnecessary risks or was unfortunate or even maybe careless. Some of course thought him foolish. That’s fine with Paul, because it meant that whatever might be accomplished through him would be to the glory of God alone. This is why he would “not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished” through him. (Romans 15:18)

It’s hard to imagine a more majestic gospel than that described in 2 Corinthians 4:5-6, a gospel that displays the power and wonder of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Yet there is another truth, a truth that is full of mystery and grace that God has entrusted this indescribable “treasure” to “jars of clay” like Paul, like me, like you.

There could be no contrast more striking than that between the greatness of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ and the frailty and unworthiness of the vessels in which it dwells and through which it is manifested to the World. Isn’t that just brilliant?

Paul’s description of himself, his so called disastrous enemies that plagued him and the opposition he faced, on no account discredited or lowered his authority. In fact in a strange way they affirm his authority, it has to be God

The main purpose of this verse is to show the immense discrepancy between the treasure and the vessel. It serves to simply prove that human weakness presents no barrier to the purposes of God, indeed, that God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) as the brilliance of the treasure is enhanced and magnified by comparison with a common container in which it is placed. Can you see that about you?

Contrary to the beliefs and expectations of the World, which thinks only in terms of human ability and accomplishment, it is the Christian’s utter frailty which lays him open to the experience of the all-sufficiency of God’s grace, so that he is able even to rejoice because of his weakness (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

If a treasure were placed in a jar covered with gold, silver and precious jewels people might focus on the jar and ignore the contents. This is probably why, if we look through and read scripture, those who bring the greatest glory to God are often those who are least impressive when judged by human standards alone.

There would appear to be something of a tension in this truth. On the one hand, as Christians we must always aim for excellence and do everything to the glory of God, we must never think that being “jars of clay” requires us to aim below average, a ‘that will do attitude’ or a slip-shod approach to life or even laziness, this is never endorsed in God’s Word.

On the other hand, we should not ever think that what we achieve we do so without God’s help or his presence or ability. We must never project ourselves as being preeminent or in such a way that the glory of God is pushed aside or His grace made small.

It is often the case that believers in Jesus are marginalised in society and rarely gain access to the corridors of power. Their voice is not readily heard and their lives are mocked When judged by the standards of the World, the Church appears insignificant and inconsequential, out-dated even foolish. How can people who value humility above pride and self-sacrifice over ambition be taken seriously? Those who are called upon to love their enemies rather than kill them, to forsake vengeance, and to do good to those who hate them are especially vulnerable to mistreatment and disdain.

God has sovereignty orchestrated the salvation of the weak and despised, the foolish and the frail, so that when much is achieved He rather than they, will be honoured.

Not everyone is willing to embrace this. They resent being clay jars. They deserve better, or so they think. Faith, so called, will deliver them from the weakness and problems of being human. Ministry or ministries are simply a tool for transforming the jar into a priceless vase. Such folk do, undeniably, appear more powerful and appealing and successful.

God thinks otherwise, so fragile, breakable, even disposable clay pot know this, in you is placed a priceless valuable treasure.