We’re like the potter’s vessel, which can be shattered into a million pieces (Psalm 2:9, Isaiah 30:14). We are weak and worn. We get tired and weary. We grow old and frail—but inside, we hold the most precious (living stone) treasure in jars of clay. At the cross, all who believe are filled with this treasure. We are filled with God’s love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, wisdom, and knowledge. The purpose that we are weak and frail is to show the all-surpassing power of God in us. Our weakness and frailty show the glory of the treasure! Can you imagine that we being so fragile hold what is most valued and precious to God, and, at the same time, His all-surpassing power holds us together? “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:6
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
It is true, our “outer self” is wasting away but not so inwardly. We are renewed in our hearts as we look to Jesus and see that His Heart was pierced so ours could be healed. We look away from our circumstances and to the cross to receive strength and satisfaction. We could be poor while on this earth, but if we have Christ, then we are among the eternally rich and famous as we hold this treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). So, we do not lose heart but we are renewed day by day as we find life, healing, and hidden treasure in Jesus.
Question 3. What are your thoughts as you consider how you, a jar of clay have within you the most precious of treasures? Please share your thoughts.
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
As we conclude this lesson about Jesus being our Treasure, please read through the following passage:
“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:7-9
Friend, to us who believe, Jesus is precious! A Treasure! Let us proclaim this message to each other in the church. And let us, as God’s special possession, go out into the world and share with others how, through believing in Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus can become their Treasure and they can become “God’s special possession”, too.
This message of Jesus’ death for our sins and powerful resurrection from the dead needs to permeate the church, needs to be the message on the lips of all believers, as this very message is the power of God “for us who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Then, let us go and proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of the darkness and into His wonderful light, for at the cross we have become “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” And at the cross “we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
Question 4. Jesus, the “treasure from heaven crucified” sought out and died for the church to make it precious and a special possession. How will knowing this help us in sharing the gospel with believers who seem to be poor in spirit and focused on the worlds wealth to fill them?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.