Part 1 - “The Vision”
Jeremiah 18:1-10
This series was inspired in a way by a book
of the same name - “Treasures In Jars Of Clay” by Claudio Friedzon. After
reading this book, I asked my study group what kind of a vessel they saw
themselves as being. Words like “chipped”, “cracked”, “broken”, and “unclean”
were mentioned. Some said they felt like an ugly old water jug, while others
said they felt like a crystal vase. We had everything from a “big old crock
pot” to a “spaghetti strainer”. I’m sure that some of you have already formed
some kind of picture in your mind as to what kind of vessel you are. However,
the kind of jar or pot or vase matters not. Just as the potter fashions a
beautiful, delicate vase to grace the table, and a sturdy pot to boil the
water, God makes different people for different purposes. What is really
important is that we understand the vision of Jeremiah, and these three things:
1. That God, the potter,
created us and he knows how and why we were created. 2. If we avail ourselves to him, he will mold us, shape us, and use us in the capacity for which we were created. And,
3. No matter what kind of vessel we are or think we are, God wants us to be “filled” and not empty; “useful” and not useless.
God invites us today to go down to the potter’s house with Jeremiah. In this scripture, God illustrates in a very simple and enlightening way, the relationship between himself and man. So, let’s look at the three things that Jeremiah saw; the clay, the wheel, and the potter.
First, there was the clay. I can remember when I was in art class in high school, and we were doing some pottery with clay, it seemed like nothing I made turned out right, but the experience helps me to understand this story. I’m sure Jeremiah realized, just as we do, that as he watched the potter shaping and molding the clay, he was looking at a picture of himself; and every man; and nation as well. We are the clay and God is the Potter.
Notice that Jeremiah sees that the pot was “marred.” Some imperfection, had spoiled it in the potter’s hand, and the potter had to start over, reshaping; remolding it. This is a clear picture of sin, salvation, and a new birth. The flaw of sin has ruined the beauty of God’s creation, and there is only one way it can be restored, it must be placed back in the hands of the potter.
If you have ever worked with clay, you know that you can’t do anything with a lump of clay that has become dry and hardened. It has to be softened and made pliable and ready to be shaped or re-shaped. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He takes all who come to him with sin and flaw and imperfection, and prepares them for the re-shaping power of the potter’s hands. Then he transforms them into a new creation.
Second, Jeremiah sees the wheel. Salvation, or being placed back in the potter’s hand, is only the beginning of this great new journey. God places us on the wheel and begins to put some warm water on us, and that may feel good at first, but then he begins to knead us like bread dough, in order to make us soft and pliable, so he can re-shape us according to the design he has for us in his heart. I want you to know that putting yourself back into the potter’s hand does not mean life becomes easy! Shaping hurts sometimes! In fact, there are times when we feel like we are just spinning round and round! There are times when life seems to be spinning out of control, and we feel like we are going to fly off the wheel! But, we need to remember that it is the potter’s foot that controls the wheel, and he knows what he is doing, He is in control. If he stops too soon, we may end up an ash tray! (In my pottery class, if something didn’t turn out right, you could always take your finger and make an indentation in the side, and it became an ash tray.)
Finally, Jeremiah saw the potter. The potter had the absolute right over the clay to make it whatever he desired for it to be. The vessel is shaped according to the potter’s mind and heart. So, “has the clay any right to say to the potter, “Why have you made me this way?” (Isaiah 29:16; 45:9) Just an interesting bit of insight here; When the clay was “marred” in his hands, God did not just cast it aside or throw it away; He didn’t start over with a new piece; He persistently started over with what he had. “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” (Philippians 1:6) This also gives new meaning to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:7 - “But, we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” God never gives up on us. He is always ready and willing to start over. It is His will that not one lump of clay be lost!
You see, our lives are not in the hands of “blind luck” or “fate” or “circumstances” but in the hands of Almighty God! And, though we may feel cracked and broken; though our lives may be divided; even if we have become hardened over the years; God, the potter, wants to redeem us; repair us or restore us; and most of all, He wants to refill us!
When everyone else says that you are worthless, God says you are worth everything. He wants to take the broken pieces of your life and remake them into something new. He can take the worst of homes, and make them peaceful and loving. He can make the worst of addicts, clean. He can take a wrecked marriage and put it back together again. He can still make people into new creatures in Christ Jesus! “He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we could ever ask or think”! Yet, we are the ones who must say; “Have Thine own way Lord, have Thine own way. Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me, after Thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still.”
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