Some stories in the Bible are more touching and teachable than others. The Prodigal Son, the Silversmith, Psalms 23, etc. But one of my favorites is the Potter’s House. “Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marredin the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” (Jer. 18:3-4). Notice the Potter is the creator of the clay to be molded into a vessel as it pleases him (1 Cor. 12:18). As the wheels of life turns the vessel becomes marred, unusable and worthless. The Potter must choose what to do with the worthless clay. It is sad that there are many useless broken vessels piled around the Potter’s wheel. Some are castaway (1 Cor. 9:27). But some are quickly made again, while others require much more time and attention. “He made it again unto another vessel as seemed good to the potter.” Thank God he did not throw away the clay. The Potter, in love and grace, sees potentialin certain clodsof clay. God remade Abram to Abraham. God remade Simon to Peter. God remade Jacob to Israel. God remade Saul to Paul. God can remake YOU. Eventually what was unprofitable and worthless becomes profitable and valuable. Thank God He did not throw away the clay!
Harold Sightler said, “God is a glorified junk dealer making useless worthless junk into vessels of glory and honor.” As you read this story, you may also feel useless and worthless and unqualified, as a candidate to be made again. Good News! You qualify for a trip to the Potter’s House. Simply submit, yield, and surrender yourself into the hands of the Potter (Rom. 12:1-2). The Potter can do for you what you cannot do for yourself. Thank God! “He made it again, another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” Thank God He did not throw away the clay!
The Potter’s House is the story of help for the helpless and hope for the hopeless. Realize that you can be made again in the Hands of God. It is the touch of the Master’s Hand that makes the difference. The greatest testimony to the world is a changed, consistent Christian. How do I know? Because I made a trip to the Potter’s House, and He made me a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Thank God He did not throw away the clay!
Also realize that there are times, even Christians need a new beginning. If you can now say,“That’s me!” Then you need to make a trip to the Potter’s House. Why? Because the Potter is still in the made again and life-changing business. “He shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim.2:21). No one regrets going to the Potter’s House – No one! Again, “Thank God He did not throw away the clay!”
This is why I love the story of the Potter’s House
