Fragile Clay Jars

This is painting #3 of the Potter’s House Collection.

Paul, the man who wrote most of the New Testament in the Bible says,

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV

It is a great reminder of who we are with and without Jesus. Without Him, we are only fragile clay jars but with Him, we are fragile clay jars that contain the glory of Christ. He is the treasure within us. We are all different but we are still carriers of His presence and light.

Paul says that our fragile bodies manifest the death and life of Jesus. That should encourage us because while we often encounter pain and brokenness, His death and life is still manifested through us. His light shines even so brightly through our frailty. Our Maker, the Potter, has a plan. His plan is to reveal His glory through fragile clay jars. His Spirit dwelling within us is the seal of His glory in us. We may be fragile, but we are carriers of God’s glory in our bodies. We bear the marks of Christ.