Broken Vessel

The earthenware jug had served the master for many years.

Cool clean water, red and white wines, the juice of his fruit trees, and, on occasion, olive oil filled it.  It quietly lived up to the very reason it was crafted.

Outwardly, all was right.

However, over the years, interior cracks had developed. Hidden from view, the cracks went unattended and grew ever so slowly until one very tiny fissure broke through. The vessel was broken and no longer held its contents.

The urn, of course, is a metaphor for the erosion of sin.  God creates us to be recipients of His grace, and if we let Him, he will fill us over and over with all good things.

It is the corrosiveness of sin that penetrates the interior surface of our soul. Perhaps, we can hide from reality, the imperfections, and the not-so-bad transgressions for long periods of time.  Yet, eventually, the depth and volume of sin block our ability to hold onto God’s grace and plays havoc with our relationship with Him. 

It becomes more difficult to approach the Father, knowing how sinful we are. Therein lies the danger.  The shame of sin blocks us.  At those times, we forget the forgiving nature of God, which is doubly dangerous.

If we allow the cracks to fester and grow, we only fall further and further away from His love, rendering the vessel that we are to remain broken. 

Shame and guilt render us doubtful of the Father's love.  Acknowledging that shame and guilt is the very act that allows us to turn back to the Father who is waiting for us so that He can heal the cracks and restore us.

Much like the Prodigal Son, it is in the recognition of our sinfulness that we crave to be reunited with the Father.  We again hunger for His forgiveness and love.  We want to be whole again. We want to receive His grace and keep it within us.