2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Ever notice how when people get to looking for a new automobile they are taken by the styling and outward appearance of the vehicle sought for? Many times it will be to the extent that the power plant and drive train hidden away under all the shiny metal and plastic will be given only cursory consideration. We tend to choose our politicians the same way. When was the last time you saw a fat bald headed man elected to high office. Look at the people who are given jobs as newscasters. Most look like they came right out of Hollywood don't they. If you aren't photogenic you can forget it.
I am going to go a little further and point out that most of the evangelists that people watch on television are the same way.
I'm sure that most if not all of you reading this know that God is not that way. God is not interested on whether or not you are pretty or have a face only a mother could love. God looks on the inside. He is more interested in the "power plant" under the hood than the sleek styling of the chassis. When God chose the vessel to put the greatest treasure ever known He chose a vessel which was not impressive to look on. Indeed this vessel may have been rather homely. Isaiah 53:2-3 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. This passage describes the outward appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It also describes the reaction to Him from most people. Plain looking and no beauty so that no one would be attracted to Him because of His looks. All the beauty and elegance and power of this Man was on the inside. In this "earthen vessel" was the creator of the universe. Deity in the form of a man. The greatest treasure imaginable.
We as Christians are blessed with the same treasure in our earthen vessels. According to the Bible we have the Holy Spirit of God residing within our souls. It matters not whether you are tall, short, thin, fat, pretty or ugly if you are a true Christian you have a priceless treasure within your house of clay. Do not the Holy Scriptures testify to this? 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Not only do you have the Spirit of God within but you have received the Godhead within your earthly temple. John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
But wait! That's not all! Did you know that according to these same Holy Scriptures that if you have the Holy Spirit you also have the Father and the Son taking up residence in your clay tabernacle? John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Who is speaking in this passage? Jesus, isn't it? In verses 16-17 you received the Holy Ghost according to the scriptures. In verse 18 here you have the promise of Jesus coming to you. You say well He will come at the second coming and that is what that is talking about. Hold on, simmer down a minute I'm not done. Hold your "taters" and let me finish.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Hot dog!!!! What a treasure and you keep thinking how you would like to be a millionaire! Well sister or brother as the case may be why do you want to be poor? Man I'm a zillionaire! I've got all the wealth of my Father hidden away in an old ugly clay vessel and any power or worth that I have comes from what I've got inside. Any thing that comes from the vessel itself is worthless. It is vain and corrupt. What comes from the treasure within can move mountains and one day will either raise this old dead carcass or change it in the moment and twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51-52) into a vessel fit for a king.
How is that for treasure?
Hillbilly
Poetry Corner
Clay In The Potter's Hand
There is One who always knew me
Shaping my heart within His hand
Reaching out to hold me
Helping me to stand.
Living waters pour over and over
To soften this vessel of clay
That I may better serve Him
In the mission fields each day.
I am The Potter's work
Set upon His wheel
Teaching me His Ways
In how to care and love another.
Our Father reached out to me
The Spirit of Peace I feel
Etching His truths across my heart
As I sing upon His wheel.
The Potter is not quite through
There's more work on me to do
Holy waters still gently pour
Upon my soul-
Now being
restored.
Julie Pisacane © 2006
Isaiah 64:8
But now, O Lord,
thou art our father; we are the clay,
and thou our potter; and we all are the
the work of thy hand.
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