Reflections: When archaeologists are on a dig they will often uncover acres of broken pottery. In the days before tin cans, glass bottles and plastic containers, clay jars were the ordinary vessel to hold and store things in. They were cheap, plentiful and disposable, a bit like our take away coffee cups. Useful, not to be looked down on, but ordinary and breakable. Yet Paul is unashamed to call himself a clay jar because he recognises his own fragility and ordinariness, because this clay jar holds the treasure of Jesus.
Questions:
The clay jars to which Paul likens himself have no glazing or decoration. Where do you like to see yourself as being that ‘little bit extraordinary’? How would the cracks in a jar display the treasure within?
Prayer: Dear Father, you delight to give your children great gifts. May you fill me with the ‘light of the knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ’. May I find that by being filled with this treasure other attractions lose their shine. Amen.