God displays His power through you

Years ago, while visiting Cairo, Egypt, I was privileged to go into the British Museum. I was especially intrigued by the artifacts uncovered by archeologists in the tombs of the pharaohs. One room of such artifacts contained an amazing display of things believed by the Egyptians to be carried into the afterlife: golden bowls, pitchers and goblets, sculptures and all sorts of forged implements. In the midst of this “spread” of wealth sat a few clay pots that looked strangely out of place. Why would the pharaohs leave clay pots along with their most beautiful possessions? One day the manager of the museum noticed a strange crack in one of the pots that let a bit of light through. He examined it and all the other pots further. What he discovered to his amazement was that the bottoms of these vessels were hollow, and contained exquisite, costly jewels. The treasures of the kings of Egypt were held in earthen vessels.

Paul tells us that God places His treasure—the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ—into men and women like us. We are the “earthen vessels” that contain more wealth than all the tombs of all the kings of Egypt. We may not look like much on the outside, but in our ordinary weakness, the power and wealth of God are magnificently displayed.