Treasure

   "...the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image
    of God. (v4). For God...has shone in our hearts to give the light
    of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (v6)
    But we have this treasure in jars of clay (earthen vessels)..." (v7)

These verses in 2 Corinthians 4 have always caused me to pause. (Granted I have only highlighted certain words in verses 4-7, but, in my humble opinion, they are the kernels.) What does this mean? What is the treasure? Obviously light and knowledge play strong roles in this discovery and understanding, but... more? WHAT is the treasure, because if we don't know what it is then how will we recognize it when we find it? And what do we do with the treasure?

The gospel? It means and is good news and it is news that gives us the freedom of knowledge. I do believe that knowledge does and can give us freedom - at least from ignorance. But more? Absolutely, but it can also be a kind of trap because when we simply seek knowledge without utilizing it - what good is it? And if we only seek knowledge without understanding, then we can succumb to pride - spouting only words.

"... the glory of Christ who is the image of God"? Is this the treasure. It does give us an understanding of who Christ, the Anointed One, looks like. But more? "...to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus"? Knowledge does bring light... but knowledge of what? Glory? But more? "We have this treasure in earthen vessels"... Us. We have this treasure! The treasure of the knowledge of Jesus. And if, 'of Jesus' then also God? Part of the understanding of what the treasure is?

Somewhat simplistically (?) the answer may be found in Colossians 1:27

   "To them (us) God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles 
    are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the 
    hope of glory."

When we make Jesus our Lord, come to Him to seek salvation, then He accepts our repentance and tells us:

   "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
    and we will come to him and make our home with him." (John 14:27)   

This is the treasure we have in us, in our earthen vessels - our life in Christ. Paul in Galatians 2:20

   "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ
    who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in
    the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

This treasure in us is of immense value and is available to all who call upon the Name of Jesus.