A number of years ago, my wife and I were privileged to see the Florida Boys in concert at a nearby High School Auditorium. They put on a performance for the Lord as if they were at Carnegie Hall. They were a Southern Gospel group, and probably their most recognizable song was, “When He Was on the Cross – I Was on His Mind.” After hearing that song, it immediately became one of my very favorites. However, they performed another that, in my mind, is a tie. It’s called “Broken Vessels,” and I can see my evolvement of moving closer to the Savior in this song.
There have been numerous members of the Florida Boys since forming around 1946. The ones that were at the first concert we attended were Les Beasley (who was from the Crockett, Texas area), Glen Allred, Gene McDonald and Derrell Stewart. Derrell was known for always wearing bright red socks, and he kept the atmosphere joyous.
A young man, Allen Cox, was their tenor that evening, and his rendition of “Broken Vessels” had the total attention of the entire audience.
First the lyrics:
“One day throughout the market place, a potter searched and roamed. He was looking for a vessel to purchase for His own.
There were many brought before Him there, all shiny, bright and new. But He shook His head and told them, No, these vessels will not do.
(Chorus) Bring Me broken vessels; shattered pieces made of clay. Bring Me broken vessels; ones the world has thrown away. I will take them in My able hands and make them over new. Bring Me broken vessels, and see what I can do.
I once was lost and scarred by sin until I realized, Unless I sought the Master’s touch, my soul would not survive. So I brought my vessel as it was and gave it all to Him. And now I’m bound for Heaven and my vessel overflows!
(End) I will take them in My able hands and make them over new; just bring me broken vessels, and see what I can do.” (emphasis mine)
Our “vessel” is the complete “us,” Heart, Mind and Soul as Damaras Carbaugh sang in one of her wonderful releases. It’s what the Father sees when He looks at us. There is no one the Father will turn away, if we will turn to Him. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). All can become saved and be “Heaven Bound.”
There are three main vessels that come to my mind. First, there are “Broken Vessels – but satisfied to stay that way.” Second, there are “Broken Vessels – but know they are in need of repair.” Finally, there are the “Repaired Vessels – that by the Master’s hand are Heaven bound.”
The vessels that are not seeking repair are the ones of the world. Their scope and vision is earth-bound, and all their treasure is here. They are a product of the evil one, and believe their “possessions” here are the most important thing. They don’t realize, or even believe, they are “broken.” Their entire existence is for the here and now.
One example of this is the rich man in Luke 12:16-21. His land had produced an abundant crop, and his greed kicked into high gear. He said, “I will tear down my old barns and build bigger ones. There I will store all my grain and goods.” He planned to set back, and enjoy many years of “good living,” eat, drink and celebrate. One can just see the “me” in his thought.
It was a great plan to him, because this “broken vessel” believed one of Satan’s greatest lies – there’s plenty of time left. God called him a fool, and required his soul that very night. The landowner wanted to store up riches, but his relationship with the Father was “broken.” His eternity would be forever broken in the Lake of Fire.
He could have been repaired and saved, and might even have offered to share his great wealth with the poor. All glory should have been given to the Father, who really allowed the crop to produce abundantly. He would have been ready for eternity in heaven, no matter how much time he had left here. This parable fits many people of this world today.
There are the “broken vessels” who know they are in need of repair. They are not satisfied with their lives here, and know they are missing something vital. With the help of the Holy Spirit, someone points out to them that, with Jesus, “There is salvation in no other name given under heaven among people by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
These vessels who are not satisfied with the world, and realize they have a need, will not stop until they have a real solution. They are willing to be led to the Potter, who is Jesus Our Lord. They open their tortured hearts and souls, longing for the repairs they can receive. They hear and believe that they must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9). They realize it doesn’t matter the “type” of vessel they are as “there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile); for the same Lord is Lord of all who richly blesses all who call on Him” (Romans 10:12).
I realized that I was a vessel in need of repair, and asked Jesus to be my Savior forever. Up to this point, I thought I was okay with my eternal destination. But I realized that without repairing my “thinking” I was hellbound. I give praise and glory to the Father for not having taken me before I was able to be “repaired.”
As our Savior did during His time on this earth, His able hands will reach out to those who truly call out for “repairs,” and He will make them “as new.” He will send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us to protect His “treasure” from the evil worldly forces. He knows His vessels will still receive abuse while on this earth, but they are no longer “broken.” When the time comes, either through death or by the Rapture, His vessels will all be with Him forever, never to be broken again.
We are now the “Repaired Vessels” and will receive new immortal bodies when we go to be with the Savior. We know we are in the minority who will really accept Him (Matthew 7:13-14). He is the only way we have to be eternally “repaired.”
“Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6).
Because of the majority of all the vessels that have ever existed, and will exist to the end of the Millennium, “Repaired Vessels” can be considered to hold a higher value. Not to the world, but to the One that really matters. We will be the “few” to have found that straight and narrow path, and will live peacefully with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and all those who have chosen to be there.
The world today is turning against anything that has to do with Jesus or Christianity. His chosen people, the Jews, are being falsely accused for all the problems of this world. The time is approaching rapidly when all of us “repaired vessels” will be leaving this earth. There will be a trumpet/shofar sounded, followed by a call from an Archangel. Those who died “in Christ” will rise first, followed by all believers that will still be alive. We will meet our Jesus in the air, and escape the terrible wrath that will take place after that.
All unbelievers that are left will be in for a “bull in the China shop” experience. It will be the worst time that this earth has ever seen since the creation. Anyone who seeks the Savior during that time can still be saved, but most with the price of martyrdom. After the tribulation, and at the end of the Millennium, all lost souls from the beginning of time to that moment will get a special judgment at the Great White Throne, and then take residency in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Call out for your “repairs” if you haven’t already done so. Jesus is never too busy to bring in another vessel to love. He paid for all of us with His precious blood, and becomes very “possessive” of those who will love and accept Him. Today would not be too early, as tomorrow could be too late.
The gift is free, and will be forced on no one. It’s an individual choice to make. Eternal torment or eternal paradise. Sadly, many will reject the gift. Don’t be one of them!
Shalom!