Earthen Vessels

by F.W. WOOLLEY | Category: General | Jan 1933

Only six waterpots of stone, just earthen vessels, but meet for the Master's use. Through them He manifested His glory at the marriage to which He and His disciples had been bidden. The servants were quick to obey His word when He said unto them, "Fill the waterpots with water." They filled them up to the brim. The filling process having been completed our Lord Jesus Christ by His Divine power turned the water into wine--the very thing that had failed at the marriage feast. He then bade the servants to draw out and bear to the ruler of the feast, who, having tasted the wine, called the bridegroom and commended him for having kept the good wine until the last (see John 2. 1-11).

This narrative has its teaching for us to-day who desire to serve the Lord. I trust we all desire to be vessels unto honour, sanctified, meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work. It. is earthen vessels that the Lord hath chosen to carry the Gospel message. I am sure that Angels (heavenly vessels) would delight in carrying this glorious message, but the Lord has willed it otherwise. He has chosen you and me, just earthen vessels, for this great work. He has put the treasure in the earthen vessel that the exceeding greatness of the power may be from God, and not from ourselves (see 2 Corinthians 4. 7). The Day of Pentecost was a memorable day in the history of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. They were just earthen vessels, chosen and sent by Him into the world to preach the Gospel. But He had bidden them tarry at Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. The Holy Spirit descended upon them at the appointed time, the rushing mighty wind, and the cloven tongues as of fire heralded His coming, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. As the waterpots at the marriage feast were filled, even so those first disciples, the earthen vessels, were filled, and filled up to the brim-filled for the thirsty multitude. The filling process having been completed, the next thing was to draw out and bear to the people: this was done through the indwelling Holy Spirit. They began to speak in the manner recorded in Acts 2. 1-4. A~ the Spirit gave them utterance they spake to the multitude of the wonderful works of God; and as a result of this pouring in and pouring out on the Day of Pentecost, about 3,000 souls were saved, baptised and added together (Acts 2. 41--the Church of God in Jerusalem: compare Acts 8. 1, 3, with Galatians 1. 13).

The Apostle Paul was another chosen earthen vessel, of whom our Lord Jesus Christ said, "He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9. 15). Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit in Damascus, he was endued with power from on high to serve the Lord, whom he had up to that tune persecuted, and throughout the rest of his life he was an earthen vessel, a vessel unto honour indeed, and marvellously used in his Master's service. The pouring out and bearing unto the people is seen in his testifying the Gospel before Gentiles and kings, and the people of Israel; and last of all we see himself being poured out as a drink offering, as the time for him to depart and be with Christ had come (see 2 Timothy 4. 6-7).

Those first disciples served the will of God in their day and generation and they are now at home with the Lord. THE PRESENT DAY IS OURS IN WHICH WE AS EARTHEN VESSELS MAY BE USED IN THE MASTER'S SERVICE. May it be ours to know what it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit: filled with living water and filled up to the brim. For there are many that are thirsty and hungry in the wilderness to-day.

While it is possible for us in this day to be filled with the Holy Spirit, there is a filling, which, as associated with our responsibility, we need to give special attention to. We refer to the drawing of water from "the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12. 3). These wells are deep, they are deeper than Jacob's well, of which the woman of Samaria said to our Lord Jesus Christ, "Sir, Thou has nothing to draw with and the well is deep" (John 4. 11); but we have in the indwelling Holy Spirit - all that we need to reach down into the deep wells of salvation. For "The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2. 10). How necessary it is that we read and meditate in the Scriptures of truth; let us draw therefrom and "drink abundantly" (Song of Songs 5. 1). Then as earthen vessels we shall be filled to the brim; then the Holy Spirit will be able to pour out from us and bear to the thirsty

souls around. There is also the throne of grace to which we have access at all times; where we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need. Through this direct connection with the great " dynamo "of heaven we may receive great grace, and great power, to testify the gospel of the grace of God and thus become channels of blessing to others in these last dark, dark days.

How I praise Thee, gracious Saviour,

That Thy love laid hold of me;

Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me

That I might Thy channel be.

Just a channel of Thy blessing

To the thirsty hearts around,

To tell out Thy full salvation

All Thy wondrous message sound.

Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,

A clean vessel in Thine hand:

With no power but as Thou givest

Graciously with each command.