Chosen Vessels

In the Holy Week, on Maundy Thursday, we welcomed our newly ordained priests into the priesthood. In the sermon for the day from Acts 9:15, The Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before the Gentiles, Kings, and the children of Israel.” To give context to this passage, we see the Lord instructing Ananias to go and meet Saul, the persecutor of the church of Christ who is later known as Paul. Ananias was disturbed because he was aware of Saul’s hatred and persecution of Christians. The Lord encouraged him and explained that the man, Saul, was his chosen instrument to proclaim his name to the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. Saul was the chosen vessel who would be a powerful testimony of Jesus before Jews and Gentiles.

A vessel is simply a container that carries something, the Greek word translated as Vessel in Acts 9:15 is Skeuos which is also used in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that reminds us that we are only vessels for the glory of God. By calling Saul (Paul) a vessel, Jesus declared that it was not Paul’s ability or status but God’s power that enabled him to do the works he did Similarly, our new priest’s mandate is that they should be vessels that God can use.

In his teaching, the presiding Reverend taught using the acronym purpose, stating that as God’s instruments, we should have a purpose

P             Purge that is to cleanse ourselves from all impurities and submit to the author of Christ.

A prayer that we should submit ourselves to a life prayer

Prepare, We should always prepare for every good work

U             Understand ourselves in Christ and our roles in the body of Christ

Uplift ourselves in the knowledge of Christ and uplift others.

R             Role model that others can follow in our footsteps

P             Passionate in whatever we do

O             Obedience to God and those in authority

Optimistic to be hopeful and confident in what the Lord is doing in our lives and for those around us

S              Separate ourselves from the ungodly relationships, from paths that would lead to destruction.

Strive to keep healthy boundaries.

Set Priorities to know what is vital and what comes first.

E              Embrace everyone without prejudice.

Encourage others.

Like the newly ordained priests, we also are chosen vessels Romans 6:13 says we are chosen instruments used to honor our Father in heaven. We were acquired at a high price for the Lord’s honor and service. This should be a great encouragement to us that God has chosen and given us mercy and grace no matter how much we do not deserve His love, He has loved us and made us His workmanship designed to fulfill His purpose.