Years
ago when I was a young man I remember my mom telling us stories about her
childhood. One of those stories was how they would have to take a bucket down
to the creek several times a day and bring water back to the house. More often
than not it was an old wooden bucket that they had to use. But what would they
have done if they didn’t have that old bucket? Suddenly an old wooden bucket
became a vessel of honor. It wasn’t beautiful to the eye. But with out it they
couldn’t have washed the clothes, dishes, bathed or had drinking water. That
old wooden bucket was worth a lot whenever there was a task to complete that
required water.
During
the time of the early church Paul wrote to Timothy and admonished him to be a
vessel of honor. 2 Tim 2:21-22
21
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every
good work.
22
I know that sometimes we fail to see ourselves as vessels of honor. The accuser
of the brotherhood gouges and tears at the fiber of our faith until we feel
that we are unworthy worms. But when we cleanse ourselves from evil works the
Lord can use us and make us vessels of honor.
You
might be a dignitary or a popper. But when you allow yourself to be used for
Gods glory you become a “Vessel of Honor”. Too often we let ourselves get
caught up in watching others and desiring to be like them or to have a ministry
like someone else. But God has made each of us distinctly different. He uses us
because of our uniqueness and not in spite of the differences.
During
the time of Christ and the “Early Church” each household had various vessels.
Customarily there would be a vessel at the front door for washing your feet.
Remember most every one walked everywhere they went and they wore sandals. That
would make for some pretty dirty feet. So you were considered a good host or
hostess if you had a washing vessel at the door. Normally the custom was for
this vessel to be one that was in fairly good condition. Then there would be
another vessel before you got to the dinner table for washing your hands. This
one would be a lot nicer. When you would get to the table there would be
another vessel for dipping your hands in and making certain that no unwanted
food stuff remained attached to your fingers. There were at least two more
vessels used in the home. On was for drawing and caring water. It wasn’t as
nice looking as the ones used at the dinner table. But it was certainly more
important. In fact there would have been no need for the vessels at the table
if there hadn’t been water to put them in.
Finally
there was one more vessel that was used. It was a vessel that was of great
importance. It didn’t look very nice at all. In fact it often was cracked. But
without this vessel the whole house would have carried a terrible aroma. It was
the vessel that was used for taking out the garbage. Was it beautiful? No but
necessary. Who wants a house full of garbage? Was it a vessel of honor?
Absolutely! Sometimes we feel like we human garbage cans. Especially when
everyone decides to use us as his or her personal garbage can. But when we
learn to endure it for Gods glory He will make certain that we are cared for in
a very special way. I’m not saying that there aren’t times when we need to
learn to say no, because there are those times. But Jesus said, Matt 5:44-48
44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute
you, 45 that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and
sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even
the tax collectors do the same? 47 And
if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even
the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore
you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
It
was Jesus who set the standard for us when He suffered and died for our sins.
While I am between pulpit assignments I am working in a plant as a powder
coater (similar to painting). There are days when everything seems to go well
and there are no particular problems. Then there are days when it seems like I
only have one nerve left and everyone is getting on it. It is these types of
days that I have to go out to my pickup during break and turn on Christian
music and say, “Jesus take me away”. Also I have to ask Him to strengthen me so
that I remain a solid witness for His Kingdom. Well, life is full of choices.
We can choose to be “Vessels of Honor” or vessels of destruction.
It
was during the times of Christ that a process was developed that made it
possible to take a vessel that had been cracked or punctured and restore it.
They would take the vessel and break it down and then begin to make it over. It
was a lot of work but it would take a cracked vessel and make it like new. It
was placed on the Potters wheel and slowly turned until it was like new again.
When it is applied to our lives we call this process, “GRACE” . Father delights in taking a vessel that is
one of dishonor and by the work of His Son at the cross making it into one of
honor.
