A Holy Week Transformation. Four Big Lessons from the Potter’s Little Vessels.

Holy Week is a transformation. It begins with Palm Sunday, when a crowd worships Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. Then, it leads to Good Friday, when that same man is put to death. What transformed in those six days? It is essential to consider what a week’s difference can make in our spiritual lives.

Let’s join Potter’s little vessels on a transformative journey as we share about Holy Week. From the jubilant cries of “Hosanna” to the solemnity of Good Friday, this week is a powerful reminder that our hearts can change course easily. Just as Little Pot’s fruit transitions from a seed in humus soil to vibrant blooms, our spiritual growth can change in mere days.

Let’s discuss some events of Holy Week and consider three big lessons.

Worship without expectation.

The week begins with the crowds shouting Hosanna and worshipping Jesus as the Messiah. His triumphal entry on the donkey fulfills Zechariah 9:9 and clarifies that people believed Him to be the Messiah and the King they were waiting for. However, they expected a king to rule their earthly kingdom and free them from Rome’s suppression. Their worship was based on their expectations of who God should be and what He should do. Sound familiar?

Within the stories of The Potter Series, each vessel has expectations of the Potter. Little Pot‘s expectations change each time the Potter fills and empties it. It worships the potter when it is full and struggles when it is empty. However, Jesus wants us to worship Him in the bad times, too.

In the story of The Tea Pot, we see a vessel that sets expectations for the Potter regarding how it looks and how it is used. It cannot fully worship the Potter until it surrenders itself and allows the Potter to wash it. When we worship God, we must leave our expectations behind. True worship is surrendering to HIs plan even when it does not make sense to us.

Think beyond yourself.

Previously, I mentioned that the people had their own plan for how Jesus would rule and be crowned King. They wanted Him to conquer Rome. But God’s plan was so much bigger and better. His plan allowed Him to conquer sin and death. Then, He would rule as king forever.

Like us, the vessels struggle to see God working beyond their existence. As Little Pot is filled and emptied, it worries about what type of pot it will be. It remains wholly focused on itself. Not until it becomes a fruit pot and meets Tea Pot in the second book does it realize that the Potter planned a fruit pot for the benefit of others. Likewise, Tea Pot must learn to pour out and serve others. Jesus poured himself out for our sake. After Tea Pot and Little Pot learn this vital lesson, they can help Oil Lamp shine its light for others.

When facing challenging situations like those faced by Jesus’ followers during Holy Week, think beyond yourself and remember that God is doing something so much more significant.

Fear should not control us.

Throughout the Holy Week Transformation, the disciples respond to circumstances in fear. They flee the scene, and Peter denies that he follows Christ three times. Likewise, the Oil Lamp is a vessel that was too afraid to shine. It is controlled by fear hiding under a bowl. And, just as Peter, it allowed the opinion of others to dictate its behavior. If we allow fear to control our behaviors, we will lack the faith necessary to shine for Jesus. Holy Week is an excellent example of a terrifying time. What situations are you facing that scare you? Because we know the transformation that takes place at the end of Holy Week, we do not find it as frightening as those who lived it. The same is true for your situation. Jesus knows the end. Jesus is the end. Our faith in HIm can keep us from being controlled by fear.

Failure does not disqualify us.

Consequently, Peter feels that because He denied Christ, he can no longer be used by God. That is how The Small Jar feels in the fourth book of the series. However, Potter demonstrates that He can use Small Jar‘s flaws and cracks to fill others.

The same is true for us. No matter where we begin the week or where the events of a week take us, God can still use us.

Conclusion of The Holy Week Transformation

Each of these stories packs so much into what we can learn about ourselves and the relationship we should have with our creator. Just as the followers of Jesus witnessed a transformation during Holy Week, we must respond to how we will allow the events of HIs death and resurrection to transform us.

If you are ready to be the vessel the Potter created you to be, join me by entering your first name and email in the fields below. We’ll send you the seven steps to becoming a fruit pot like Little Pot. You’ll also receive an email on Fruitful Fridays to remind you of ways to be fruitful.