Over the next few weeks in our Rooted in Christ Study, we’ll be looking at some of the favorite passages from our staff at St. Matthew’s UMC. These are some of the parts of the Bible to mean to most to our staff.

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 4: 1-15

This reading today has that well-known phrase “jars of clay.”  I think that’s an interesting subject.  In that culture, the clay jar was not of much worth, it’s main purpose was to be the vessel of “holder” of the object that was of greater worth.  An example, in our more modern times, is the Dead Sea Scrolls. These valuable scrolls (both to us and to the original owners – the Essenes) were found in a cave in the Holy Land in clay jars. They had been in them for centuries; the jars had done their job, they had protected the valuable truth housed within.

We are imperfect beings.  Frail. We make mistakes.  Far for having it all figured out. We are the clay jars.  But, because of the grace within us, we have a purpose and a calling that far exceeds our imperfections.  Today, remember that.  Remember that yes, you are imperfect, and you will mess up.  Now, don’t go looking for trouble. But know as well that your failures don’t define you. God’s grace in you and through you defines you.  Yes, you are an imperfect clay jay. But you are so much more than that.  You are the very vessel that God wants to use to bring His grace to a hurting world.

We are clay jars. But we have within us the greatest treasure in all the world. God’s grace.

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