IN JARS OF CLAY

“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

In this passage, we find Paul trying to help his readers see the glory of our heavenly Father in the dust of everyday experience. That’s what makes a huge difference in this life: seeing things from God’s perspective. Paul was showing that it can be done because God has been revealed in human form through Jesus Christ, the ultimate Treasure in an earthly vessel -- flesh and blood. All the eternal and infinite glory of God shined through the humanity of His Son, who was fully human and yet fully divine. Jesus’ enemies saw Him as just another man, but behind those eyes dwelt the one true God… We have this treasure, the ministry of Christ, in our “earthly vessels,” our frail and imperfect human bodies.

This is a difficult concept to understand, but Paul always had a handy word picture available. This time he used the idea of a clay jar. If there was one absolutely ordinary, run-of-the-mill object that everyone in the Middle East could understand it was the clay jar. Cheap pottery was everywhere and used for everything. The jars were breakable, but it didn’t matter because it was so easy to get another one. Clay earthenware was as common as -- well, as the clay beneath one’s feet.

A clay pot had absolutely no value in itself. Everyone knew that. On the other hand, it could hold a priceless pearl, a gold piece, a bite of bread to fend of hunger, a day’s drink of water, a wedding ring… It wasn’t the jar but the treasure inside that counted. 

-- David Jeremiah in “Keep the Faith: How to Stand Strong in a World Turned Upside Down” 

#6372  

BELONGING TO GOD

“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body."  (1 Corinthians 6:20 Amplified Bible)

It frequently happens that the value of a thing lies in the fact that someone has possessed it. A very ordinary thing acquires a new value, if it has been possessed by some famous person. In any museum we will find quite ordinary things -- clothes, a walking-stick, a pen, pieces of furniture -- which are only of value because they were possessed and used by some great person. It is the ownership which gives them worth. It is so with the Christian. The Christian may be a very ordinary person, but he acquires a new value and dignity and greatness because he belongs to God. The greatness of the Christian lies in the fact that he is God's. 

-- William Barclay (1907-1978) in “The Letters of James and Peter”

< 20th ANNIVERSARY > A VALUABLE MEMBER OF GOD’S FAMILY

NOTE: Today marks a significant milestone for this SOUND BITES Ministry -- its 20^th Anniversary! I began this ministry on March 29, 1999 as a way to glorify God for the life of our son, Dustin Thomas, who had died one year earlier. Dustin had been born with developmental disabilities that he lived with for 16 years, ultimately dying from an unrelated brain tumor. A line in today’s SOUND BITES quote speaks to what our family and friends felt about Dustin -- he was “a valuable member of God's family, unique and special in God's sight, loved by those around him, with much to offer regardless of his limitations."

On this anniversary, as I have done at times in the past, I would invite you to share how God has used SOUND BITES to minister to you, or how you have used SOUND BITES to minister to others. Post your comment here.

Thank you for your support for this ministry. Please share SOUND BITES with others and help us spread the good news of God’s grace through Jesus Christ to the whole world -- "The world is our parish." 

-- Rev. Dave Wilkinson, founder and editor

A VALUABLE MEMBER OF GOD’S FAMILY

The Lord said, "You are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you." (Isaiah 43:4)

As I sat watching the handicapped preschoolers gather pumpkins, I felt saddened that my own three-year-old was among them. Why had I bothered to bring him? Mentally and physically handicapped, he could really only observe the fun around him. My hope for a meaningful life for Thomas was at an all-time low.

I talked about my feelings with another parent who was also watching. She opened my eyes to something. "Like you," she said, "I almost didn't bring Kristen today. She is unaware of her surroundings and couldn't possibly enjoy the activities. But then," she continued, "I realized while she may not get anything out of this experience, perhaps someone will see Kristen and be touched by her."

In her words, I saw a ray of hope, a glimpse of meaning in Thomas' life. Perhaps by seeing him participate in his limited way, others would see Thomas not as "handicapped" but as a valuable member of God's family, unique and special in God's sight, loved by those around him, with much to offer regardless of his limitations.

I smiled as I scooped Thomas up, and we hurried into the field in search of pumpkins.

-- Sharon P. Stanley in “The Upper Room”, November 30, 1990 

#4556