A good deal has been said and written, especially in poetry, about the need of our being empty vessels, ready for the use of the Master. The thought is that our being kept empty is the qualification for immediate use and that when in that condition the Lord can take us up, fill us and send us forth on any service to which He calls. Is this a scriptural thought?
We will consider, first of all, the scriptures in which the term “vessels” or “vessel” is found. In 2 Corinthians 4 the Apostle says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels” (vs. 7). This passage contains an allusion to Gideon and his men. We read that “he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers” (Judg. 7:1616And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. (Judges 7:16)). The pitchers had been empty, it will be observed, but Gideon put the lights (the brands or torches) inside. This will help us to understand the meaning of the treasure in the earthen vessels of which the Apostle Paul speaks. It is evidently, from the context, the knowledge of that glory of God which, displayed in the face of the glorified Christ, God had caused to shine in our hearts. But this, once received, does not come and go, but remains as an abiding possession. The condition of its display is another thing, involving the constantly bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus (vs. 10), but the treasure remains in the vessel.
Sanctified Vessels
In 2 Timothy 2 the term “vessels” is also found. “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, prepared unto every good work” (vss. 20-21). The question here is not of empty or full vessels, but entirely one of association. To be a vessel ready to the Master’s hand, “a man” must be in separation from the vessels of dishonor, thus affirming the principle of defilement through our associations and consequent disqualification for service. Only as purged from the vessels of dishonor can one become a vessel unto honor, one which the Master will delight to take up and employ. But passing on to the next chapter, we learn that if the man of God is to be “perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:1717That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17)), he must be well instructed from the Scriptures. The vessel must be filled, and in that state habitually; the word must dwell in the vessel, and then it will flow out in teaching as the Master may require.
Rivers of Living Water
If we now refer to the truth involved more generally, the same result will be obtained. When our Lord was speaking to the woman of Samaria, He said, “Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well [fountain] of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)). Here again the water once received — a symbol of life in the power of the Holy Spirit—remains as a permanent possession. Hence if we turn to John 7 we discover that the water is not only received, but that it also flows out: “He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (vs. 38). Of course, there must be the constant reception, but the vessel is never to be empty. Rather, the well or fountain is within, because it is connected with the gift of the indwelling Spirit. Possessing therefore the Holy Spirit, the normal state of the believer is to be filled even to overflowing with His power, so that “rivers of living water” might flow out for the blessing of those around. There could not be an empty vessel, for to be prepared for service is to be full to overflowing. On the other hand, if these streams should, through the grieving of the Holy Spirit of God, not be flowing out and the vessel in a sense become empty, such an one would not, it is needless to say, be in a condition for the Master’s use.
If we now refer to another class of scriptures, the same conclusion will be reached. Two will suffice: “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning” (Luke 12:3535Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (Luke 12:35)), and, “Among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:1515That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15)). Now the “lights” in these and other scriptures always signify Christ—Christ as shining out, in the power of the Holy Spirit, through the life of the believer. But Christ must be possessed before He can be expressed; the light must be within before it can shine forth.
A Vessel Without Christ
An empty vessel would thus be one without Christ. It was the foolish virgins, and not the wise, who had the empty vessels; they had no oil in them, significant of the fact that they were not born again, and consequently had not the indwelling Spirit. The wise had failed in not trimming their lamps, but inasmuch as their vessels were not empty, they were aroused in time to meet the Bridegroom and went in with Him to the marriage.
The question may then be put, Is it possible for the Christian to be an empty vessel? One of two things will always follow. Either he will be filled with Christ or with himself and the things which center in himself. Thus, if not filled with Christ, he is always in danger. It was so with the Jewish nation. The unclean spirit of idolatry had gone out, but finding no rest, in the language of our blessed Lord, the unclean spirit saith, “I will return to my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matt. 12:43-4543When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:43‑45)). If now that nation had received Christ, He would have filled up the void, and they would have been secure from this awful intrusion of wicked spirits. In like manner, unless the believer is filled with Christ, he is ever exposed to be occupied and possessed with what is opposed to Christ.
Filled With the Spirit
It is quite true that, if the Lord sends any of His own on special service, everything must be received from Him. Nothing of our own, nothing that springs from self, can be used for Him. But the point is that the believer will not be in a condition to be employed unless he is already filled. And the more filled he is, the more Christ practically possesses his soul, the more consciously dependent he will be, and the more certain, therefore, when the privilege of any service is conferred, to look up to receive all he needs for it from the Lord. So in the primitive church, it was when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit that they spake the Word of God with boldness. (See Acts 4:3131And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31); also Acts 2:44And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4).) It is, therefore, we again repeat, not empty, but filled vessels that the Lord requires for His sovereign disposal in service.
E. Dennett (adapted)