An instrument or a vessel? Acts 9:9-16

After Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he was left blind and had to be led “by the hand” to the city. Paul remained In Damascus “three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:9). Finally, in a vision, the Lord appeared to a disciple named Ananias. The Lord told him to go to Paul and lay his hands on him “so that he might regain his sight” (Acts 9:12). However, Ananias balked at these words saying “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14). However, the Lord responded, saying that Paul was “a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16).

What is interesting in this verse is the Greek word translated here as “instrument.” This word is usually translated as “vessel.” The difference between these two translations of this one word is significant. An instrument is important because of what it can do, while a vessel is important because of what it contains. God was not looking to Paul for what he could do for the Kingdom; instead, he was looking to Paul as a vessel in which to carry his presence to the world. The same is true for us today. What we do is not nearly as important as whom we contain. This reminds me of what Paul said to the Corinthians, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:7). The treasure is not the vessel but the contents which it carries.

In our lives, it is often tempting to compare ourselves with others. However, in comparing our selves with others, we often use the wrong measuring sticks for our comparison. Often, we compare ourselves by comparing our works or accomplishments with those of others. Alternatively, maybe, we compare our abilities with the abilities of others. Either way, when we use such measurements, we do not measure ourselves, and others, according to the wisdom of God. Instead, we ought to measure ourselves against people such as Ignatius, who was also called Theophorus, or “the God-bearer.” Are we carriers or bearers of God? If not, then what we do and accomplish will have little value without God’s presence dwelling within us. Let us strive, not to be someone, but to carry someone. Let us strive to be God bearers.

David Robison