In

ancient times there were no banks as we know them. So people would

keep their valuables and treasure hidden, and they would keep it in

everyday containers like clay jars, tucked away in a secret place or

buried in the ground.

Paul

makes good use of the contrast between the clay and the treasure. The

cheap, rough, material of a clay jar is totally different from the

refined, precious jewels and coins it may contain. And Paul compares

the treasure to the precious message of salvation that God calls us

to share in Jesus’ name, despite all our earthy weaknesses and

sinfulness.

How

precious are the “wonderful words of life,” the message of

forgiveness through God’s love and grace, the news of Jesus’

victory over death, and the promise of our own resurrection! There is

no truth so precious as the gospel of Christ!

Often,

however, we get discouraged in our own weakness. Even if we are not

persecuted or imprisoned for our faith like Paul was, we can

understand the feeling of being “hard pressed on every side.”

Until the day we are called into eternal glory, we must not lose

heart. Till then, let this be our motto: “We also believe and

therefore we speak.” Let us not lapse into silence. The same grace

that forgave our sin carries us on, through life, so that light may

shine out of darkness.