One of
the great images we learn from the Bible is expressed in the metaphor of the potter,
as a representation of God. Remember the incident when the
despondent Judas brought back the thirty
pieces of silver and flung them down at the feet of the priests, after having betrayed
his Lord? What happened? The priests gathered up the money, discussed together what
they should do with it and decided to buy a potter's field. And it was known thereafter as
"the field of blood," (Matt 27:6-10). How is this relevant?
This is God's wonderful
reminder of the heart of the Potter. God’s heart. For if you watch this Potter very
carefully at work in your life, you will find that his hands and his feet bear the nail marks of
crucifixion, and that it is through blood, the blood of the Potter Himself, that the
vessels [His children] are being shaped into what He wants them to be.
When we are in the
Potter's hands, feeling His pressures, feeling the molding of His fingers, we can relax
and trust Him, for we know that this Potter has suffered with us and knows how we feel. He
is determined to make us into a valuable vessel worthy for His use. "In
a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood
and earthenware,
and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what
is ignoble [those practices which appear just before this in the context
––wrongful attitudes,
contentiousness, ungodliness, doctrinal aberrations, iniquity] then he will be
a vessel
for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good
work." (2 Tim 2:20-21 RSV)
What a tremendous
lesson can be learned from this metaphor as we submit to God’s will and purposes as
Christians. How refreshing to know that we are being shaped, chiseled and crafted into a
“worthy vessel” for Divine us by the great Potter. We are in God’s hands everyday of our
faithful lives. It’s not easy being there, nor is it easy staying in His hands.
Being Christian...
living as Christians... following closely and precisely all His wisdom and counsel is not for
the weak or faint of heart. It takes courage and perseverance to be a “child of the Living
God.”
Much is involved.
Loving one another... paying attention to truth and correct doctrine... giving to God for His
mission, and separating ourselves from the negative and powerfully persuasive influences
of this world are enormous challenges. Learning the “ways and means” of God to
protect ourselves is an everyday pursuit. We can’t afford to let up in our
persistence and enthusiasm to be all that He is molding us to be.
We should never lose sight of the
fact that as Christians we have enormous power to influence the world around us.... positively
and negatively. In order for us to be effective instruments in the mission of God, He has to be
enabled by our willing submission to shape, correct and instruct us for our
good.
Understanding that helps us to stay
pliable in the hands of the Potter. God seeks to mold us into the image of Jesus. Let Him
make you into a vessel of Honor He desires you to be. Jeremiah 18:6 says... O house of
Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the
clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. “Can I not do to
you as the potter does with the clay?” You see, all God wants is to be free to
work in our lives.
He isn’t trying to take something
away from us. He is trying to give something wonderful to everyone of us... “Hear
Me. Do what I say. Follow my plan. Get in My Word. Listen to Me in your spirit.
Let Me make you a vessel of honor.”
Think back to the way you were when
you were first born again, before the Word was ever planted in your heart. You
were a sad story before the Potter began to mold and shape you, we all were.
God develops authority and power in you as you walk in His Word. An inner
confidence rises up because you know Who is inside you and Who you are
following. You get the picture of what’s happening to you in 1 John 4:4.. You
dear children are from God, and have overcome them, because the one
who is in you, is greater than the one who is in the world.
Personal knowledge or
self-confidence can never compare with what the Word of God builds in your
heart – an inner strength that you can face anything that comes your way
because the Greater One live in you. It’s no longer self-confidence but God
confidence.
Being a Christian
is not easy. It
takes hard work, perseverance and unqualified commitment and dedication. There
are no short-cuts. You can do nothing of your own design or accord to be
acceptable to God. HE makes you acceptable to Him by transforming you!
As you honor God’s
Word with loyalty and obedience, He will do more in your life than you
could ever imagine. He will make you a vessel of honor, prepared for every
good work, fit for the Master’s use. (2 Timothy 2:19-21)
