Being a Vessel

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. “

The Greek word for the vessel here is “skeuos” which is translated as a vessel or apparatus that is useful as much as a wife is to a husband. This is the expectation of God when He had chosen us to minister for Him. This call is not for Paul alone but to all of us because we need more such vessels in the current world to carry Christ to the busiest generation of all times. This generation is strongly convinced that money is everything and it is very hard to be completely honest and humble like Jesus was. We encourage self-confidence and promote prosperity as a blessing from God. For this generation to understand Christ, we need vessels who carry the name of Jesus. We are chosen for this purpose. If we are faithful in this responsibility, God will glorify us with higher responsibilities and power.

To be such a vessel that Carries Jesus, there are some conditions to be fulfilled. As in 1 Thes 4:4,5 we are expected to hold our own vessels (bodies) to be holy and honorable. Any impurity will make us unworthy candidates in God’s kingdom. Nobody keeps a gold or a silver vessel along with other clay pots and clean them together. We may use them less, but they will be used when we have important guests. Paul explains this in 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

It is required for us to understand how we are pre-destined or already chosen as vessels and with a purpose. Even before we were born, God had planned what our roles are in His kingdom and how we will serve that in this earth. This is why whoever Jesus called, he had predestined them for a purpose. We read that in Ephesians 1:4. Jesus went to people and saved them. When people came to Christ, not all were saved. In the event of the Canaanite women in Mathew 15:28, after begging Jesus so much, her desire only was fulfilled. The Lord did not mention anything about salvation here. In Mark 7:29 we read the Lord telling the woman to “go your way”. But after been chosen we may still fail like many examples in the Bible.

Another person in the Old Testament who was chosen was Zerubbabel in Haggai 2:23. Here we read Him to be a chosen instrument that is honored to be like a signet ring. This call is so powerful and given to us where Jesus said “What you shall bind on earth will be bound in heaven”. We are carrying the authority of God to the world. Jesus explains this clearly in John 15:15, 16. “Whatever we ask in the Father’s Name, He may give it to you” is the highest position we can imagine. But for this Jesus lays two preconditions where we bear fruit and this fruit should abide.

In 1 Cor 1:27-29, Paul writes that God has chosen us because we do not want to honor ourselves but God. Whoever considers himself wise and strong would and should be shamed and thrown off its power but we who are humble in our hearts would we empowered. Being vessels who carry the Name of the Lord (2 Cor 4:7-9), it is important that we carry the death of Jesus and only then the life of Jesus will be manifested in our lives. The world may persecute us but cannot destroy.

Bearing the Name of Jesus is the eternal purpose of us, the vessels. When where and how is something God decides. As per Romans 9:21-24, there are vessels which are destined for destruction and they do not carry the name of Jesus. There is nothing we can do about it and it is God’s eternal choice on them. This explains why God is patient towards the corrupt and sinful. But if we are called to show the riches of God’s glory to the world, we should ensure that the Name of Jesus is carried with reverence and humility. As we know that the Name has authority, the vessels those carry the name should always be consecrated and separated from other tasks.

Let us focus in our lives that the Name of Jesus is shown to the world through our actions and our words. If we do not choose to ignore the world and love Him as per Mathew 6:21, we cannot become such vessels. We will allow garbage to be mixed with the most precious content and we will bring disgrace to Him. Let us Christians, understand the importance of our call.

Amen.