Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

~2 Corinthians 4:7 CSB

I needed new storage containers. The thirty-year-old plastic ones were dingy and no longer glamorous, but they served the purpose of storing leftovers. As I requested, my son and daughter-in-law gifted me glass storage containers to replace the old ones. When I received them, I couldn’t help but think of treasure in clay jars. 

But in biblical times, a clay pot was the standard container, similar to our plastic tubs. It stored many things, primarily water and scrolls. Yet, it wasn’t the pots that were valuable; they were a dime a dozen. What was inside was. Water is a necessity. So were the scrolls that contained God’s Word. Both were great treasures.

In late 1946, a Bedouin shepherd threw a rock into a cave and heard a clink. When he explored inside, he discovered several of those clay pots. They probably looked faded, worn, and ordinary. But inside those pots were scrolls, biblical scrolls. All but one of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament were later discovered in part throughout the area. These ancient documents (now called the Dead Sea Scrolls) are preserved in Israel as great treasures.

We are a lot like those storage containers or, in Paul’s terms, clay pots. Believers and unbelievers are storage units. The difference is that the unbeliever’s container is empty, while the believer’s container has treasure within: the life of Jesus through His Holy Spirit. We have treasure in clay jars. 

As we age and endure life’s trials, our pots become bruised, cracked, damaged, or worn–as my plastic storage containers did. We don’t look as we did before the trial. Some adversities leave us worse for wear, and other trials may have left invisible scars. Year after year, toil after toil, the physical body bears the mark of the Christian life.

In his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:24-27), Paul mentioned these marks: lashings, stonings, beatings, dangers, sleepless nights, hunger, and thirst. He leaned on the resources of the Holy Spirit while enduring persecution and affliction. Yet, he also talked about being transformed from glory to glory in the inner man. 

As we lean more and more on the Spirit, God provides us with unlimited resources to live a life like Christ. The weaker the vessel, the greater the power of God is displayed. When we trust Jesus, we become strong inside, although our bodies may weaken.

While we may appear as an unassuming clay jar, we are not when we display what’s inside to the world. God has made us into something divine and glorious for His use. Hidden inside us are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the seal of salvation, the revelation of Jesus Himself, and this extraordinary power.

Therefore, we can say no to the candy bar, which seems impossible not to eat. To call up the person who’s hurt us and offer forgiveness. To replace the anger or jealousy that burns deep inside with love. We can live contented lives even when chaos swirls around us. We can live a life ruled by the Spirit, not sin. One ruled by God’s truth, not feelings. It’s a startling contrast to a world saturated with sin.

Don’t hide away like the scrolls hidden in caves or the dingy plastic storage containers in my pantry. You are salt and light and represent Christ to the world and can be the sweet aroma of Jesus to someone today. You may think you are ordinary, but you bear the mark of Jesus. The power that raised Him from the dead resides in you. That’s the treasure in clay jars we have.

Think different thoughts about yourself, and see the difference it makes in your life and the lives of others you can impact.

Father, as I look in the mirror and see a groaning and aging body, remind me that inside is the Spirit of Jesus, the true treasure.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Treasure in Clay Jars: Sally Cressman: All Rights Reserved