top of page
Search

Clay Pot

Writer's picture: St Bart's ChurchSt Bart's Church

Updated: Jun 13, 2021

By David Barker


The last twelve months has been quite stressful in work and now as we step into spring I look forward to getting back into the garden as it’s a place where I can relax and unwind.


Recently, I was clearing up in the shed and came across a brand new clay plant pot and as I cleaned it up ready to take a new plant, the more I looked at it reminded me of Jesus right there in my garden.


In the time of Jesus clay was an everyday material, easily obtained and the items that he would have seen in daily life from cookware, storage jars for grain, water vessels all long before the modern day pot. The local potter would have had a thriving business selling his wares in the market places in every town and city. Remains of clay items are often found in archaeology digs and are dated as thousands of years old.


In the bible we are familiar of stories of people going to the well for water, eating at weddings, drinking wine, washing feet and so forth, all with clay cookware etc.


As I held this small pot admiring its shape and perfectness I noticed that the smooth sides were not so smooth after all and that the clay had lots of miniature imperfections. No two clay pots are identical just as we in our human form, similar but not identical and unique. Clay pots just like us need looking after and don’t last for ever.


The shape also reminded me of the discipleship funnel, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.


What Jesus did:

1. Jesus met needs of many people

2. He preached

3. He taught believers

4. Trained others


How people responded:

1. Crowds gathered

2. Some believed

3. Some committed

4. Those that were trained were sent out to proclaim the good news


I see this humble clay pot every day and admire the plant it beholds, watered and fed regularly, and with enough light as it grows into a thing of beauty and brings me and many others much joy.


Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”




26 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Commenti


FIND US
SERVICE TIMES
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Address: Church Road, Roby, Liverpool, L36 9TL

Phone: 0151 4891698

info@stbartholomewsroby.org.uk

SAFEGUARDING

 

St. Bart's Church takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and guidelines. You can find out more about the national policies and procedures at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding

 

Our Diocesan safeguarding team are Andy Holmes, Mick Murphy, and Karen Williams. If you have any safeguarding concerns or issues on a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at Safeguarding Matters - Diocese of Liverpool (liverpoolcofe.org)

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer for children is Sian Barker, and for adults is David Bradbury. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have a safeguarding concern on safeguarding@stbartholomewsroby.org.uk

You may also find the following contact details helpful:

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 8005000

Childline: 0800 1111

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000247

Knowsley Council Safeguarding: 0151 4432600

Safe Spaces


Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. 

Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained support advocates, who have undergone specialist training in supporting survivors of sexual violence and who have received additional specific training in how the churches respond to abuse cases, the way in which faith and church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the particular issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the church.

 

The service is for those who may have experienced any form of abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, psychological abuse (including spiritual abuse), domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour.

Find out how to access support here: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

CofE Version 1 [white].png
nw%20logo_edited.png

St Bart's Church, Roby

bottom of page