In The Potter's Hands

Pastor Ken Fisher
Thurmont United Methodist Church

(6/1) When God called the young Jeremiah, such an announcement must have stunned the young Jeremiah. What a responsibility! What an honor! The fact that God wanted to use Jeremiah was too much for the young man to take in. In the first chapter of the book of Jeremiah, He says "Lord God! I do not know how to speak, for I am only a child". God responded, "Do not say", "I am only a child, for you shall go to everyone I send you and say whatever I command you".

The assurance is "Do not be afraid; I am with you".

God is not interested in our capabilities or gifts – God is interested not in our ability but in our availability!

It was a dark day for the land of Judah. King Josiah started a cleanup of the Temple and the religious life of the people. But his untimely death ruined any hope for the kingdom of Judah. Exile was certain.

The Babylonians came bringing the end of the Southern Kingdom. The walls were thrown down; the Temple destroyed; and the people were dragged along in chains to Babylon.

The poor were sold as slaves. The religious conditions were not better. Jeremiah found a strange mixture of Canaan’s nature religion; Jezebel’s Baalism; Babylonian cults; and a tendency toward meaningless rituals. Israel was living in open sin. Jeremiah traced sin to its roots and found that the source of all sin lies in the human heart. To him, sin was the stubbornness of the heart. Ingratitude and disloyalty to God are the results.

Misunderstood by his own family; opposed by priest and prophet; shunned by his own people; Jeremiah’s life was a tragic experience. Yet, he continued to urge his fellow citizens to turn to God for deliverance. Jeremiah was moved to tears because of the destruction of Jerusalem. Whatever hope there was had ended; there was no hope of salvation. It was too late! Jeremiah wept for the people and the city.

Jeremiah claimed no authority of his own; his sole authority came from God’s Word. Jeremiah was not called to voice his own opinions, but to speak for God. Jeremiah explains the cause of false prophets: "The Word is not with them". In the beginning of every authentic prophecy is God’s Word. When one does not begin there, one might as well not begin at all. A prophet is not a fortune teller nor a spokesperson for their own agenda, but a spokesperson for God.

The people in Jeremiah’s day were seeking to blend in. They wanted to be a part of the society around them; instead of being God’s people.

Just like in Jeremiah’s day, we guide our behavior according to the behavior of others. Whatever is in agreement with the spirit of the times is that which we embrace. How do we determine what is right or what is wrong in society? We take a poll and see what the majority believe. The results determine our values. People are dominated by the desire to blend int0 be popular. But if we do not have that inner sense of who we are, and whose we are, and why we were created; we become empty inside.

In the 18th chapter of Jeremiah, God tells the young prophet to go down to the potter’s house. Jeremiah goes, and see the potter working at his wheel. The potter is making a pot, but all at once the clay is spoiled, the pot ruined. But with the skill and patience by which the potter shapes his work, he makes another pot.

Jeremiah saw a picture of God’s sovereignty; patience, freedom; and resourcefulness. Nothing in the clay could make a beautiful vessel of itself. The clay was modeled by the potter.

God’s plan will be carried out. We can disrupt God’s plan because God has given us freedom of choice; but ultimately God’s will will be done. Jeremiah saw that God wanted the people to be obedient, servants of the Lord. When they proved to be disobedient, they were like a lump of clay on the potter’s wheel.

Jeremiah’s story is our story. We can be sure that if we will trust in God, God’s love and truth will work in our lives. We will be reshaped into something beautiful and useful for the kingdom.

As a pastor, I hear people share their sorrows as well as their victories. Sometimes I hear people ask, "Why?"

"Why am I left with so many broken dreams?"

"Why don’t I prosper?

"Why can’t I be happy?"

"Why do I suffer?"

Part of the answer is found at the potter’s wheel. There is good news at the potter’s wheel. It is this: The potter does not throw the clay away. The potter takes the same clay and reshapes it into something new!

In the 31st chapter of Jeremiah, he speaks of a new covenant. Jeremiah knew that the Hebrew faith was based on a covenant. He saw that since the people had failed to keep the old covenant, a new covenant must be substituted for it.

Jeremiah tells of a great homecoming. The people will return from exile, and there will once again be rejoicing in Jerusalem. Fields will be replanted; homes and lives will be rebuilt and there will be music in the streets. Jeremiah affirmed his hope for the future in the purchase of land. Even as Israel is in captivity in a foreign land, the prophet speaks of a new beginning. A day when God will restore and renew the people, giving them a fresh start.

It was important for Israel to understand that their new beginning was not produced by their own efforts; it was a gift of God’s grace. Jeremiah says, "a time is coming" when God’s Word would be written on their hearts!

Is God’s Word written on our hearts or are we just going through the motions? Do we do things out of duty or do we do them because we love Jesus? The new covenant is here. God’s love and grace is available to all through Jesus Christ. Yet, we must be willing to make ourselves available to be molded like clay into something beautiful and useful for God’s Kingdom.

Thurmont United Methodist Church is an evangelical church with two celebrations on Sunday mornings and Sunday School for all ages. Whether you enjoy traditional hymns (9am) or contemporary worship music (10:30am), you will find it at one of our Sunday morning celebrations. We use Bible based curriculum to encourage all attendees to live their faith 24/7. Our church is very Missions oriented. Each month we send 10% of all gifts and tithes to Missionaries and mission organizations. We have the Community Clothes Closet on premises to help serve the needs of the community. It is open three times a month for people, at no charge, to receive clothing and God’s love. Prayer and worship are very important to our church. Prayer requests and praises are regularly sent to the congregation. Come experience the Holy Spirit, alive and moving. We hope to worship with you soon. Please feel free to contact the church office more information.