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MARRED IN THE HAND OF THE POTTER WE NOW TAKE up the most marvelous, yet least understood phase of this three part parable. In our first study we learned that God is the great master Potter, the Creator of the whole universe. As such He has certain prerogatives, including the right to choose, and the right to make two different kinds of vessels in order to carry out His plan and purpose. Now we shall look more closely at these vessels which were marred in the hand of the potter. That what may look like flaws could develop in any part of God's perfect creation may be hard to understand at first. But we must remember that the planting of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was just as much a part of God's master plan as was the planting of the tree of the living. As soon as God planted the tree that brought about mankind's original downfall, and probably long before, He knew what the sad result would be. For sin and death must smash and destroy the vessels before the Potter can make them all anew. If there were another way—a better way—to achieve the glorious goal that God has set for mankind, a way which might have spared the vessels such harsh treatment in the hands of sin, we need not doubt that our loving God would have chosen it. But God knows, even though we may not realize it, that this is the most effective way—the perfect way—to attain to His goal and our good. Let us consider for a moment the millions of humans which the Potter has made. Is it not staggering to realize we have never looked upon one vessel which was not, in some way, marred? Only one Man has trod this earth Who did not sin, and Who was not condemned by Adam's death sentence. All the rest are marred. Except for Christ, there is not one vessel that could rightfully occupy a place of honor. All are what the pottery shops refer to as "seconds," which are usually sold only at a great discount. While most will agree that all humanity bears the pock marks of sin, very few realize that this situation came about, not by some ancient accident, but as the reasonable result of God's perfect plan. Some have asked: "But how can imperfection play a part in the plan of a perfect God?" We happily answer: "In order to display His unfathomable wisdom and transcendent love." God molds weak vessels and uses them to show His strength. If the powerful do powerfully, how is God glorified? But if the weak overcome the strong, then God's influence becomes apparent. Therefore we are not living in the ruins of an accidental catastrophe, but in a world which unwittingly is fulfilling every facet of its role, as foretold by Him Who fashioned every fragment of it. Marred in the Potter's hand . . . but still in the hand of the Potter! Here is peace for all who will ponder these words! For whatever may be their present condition, each vessel still rests secure in His all-sufficient hands. Without Him all life in this vast universe would vanish. In Him we are living, and moving, and are (Acts 17:28). Only when we realize that all, really ALL is still in the hand of the Potter, can we "let nothing be worrying" us (Phil.4:6). For if, in all these many millenniums, God has not chosen to withdraw His hand from these marred pieces of clay, then we can rest in a future equally secure, never doubting that what He has promised, this He will do! |