“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
Last weekend, our family traveled to the Getty Villa in Malibu, California. The Villa is a replica of a wealthy Roman home, built by oil baron J. Paul Getty to house his incredible collection of ancient artifacts.
Amid the excitement of the Olympic season, one artifact which captured my attention was the “Prize Vessel from the Athenian Games.” It was a 10 gallon decorative jar, filled with olive oil, given to the winner of a boxing match some 300 years before Christ. The winner would receive 40 of these jars, plus money and a lifetime of honor. Olive oil was no mere luxury in ancient times; it provided many of life’s basic necessities. Oil was used to provide light for lamps, fat for cooking, and lotion for the body. In modern terms, the winner was provided a lifetime’s worth of electricity, food, and beauty products! This was a treasure of highest value!
What is our treasure of highest value? Consider carefully: there are many “good” things associated with the Christian life, but what is the “best” thing? Reflect on this probing question from John Piper:
“The critical question for our generation – and for every generation – is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?” (God is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself).
Christ is our treasure of highest value! How is it that we often forget the “Christ” in being Christian? Throughout Scripture, olive oil represents God’s abiding presence. He is more than adequate for all of our needs! We are therefore the jars of clay which house the oil of His Presence – the Spirit of our Savior, Jesus.
Jesus is our prize; we are the prize vessels. May we be captivated anew by His wonderful presence, personality, and life-giving peace.
