The tools Jesus used

John 4: 42 – 54

Each day we have task to accomplish. The task goes much more smoothly when we have the right tool. I have stripped many heads on bolts because of not have the right size wrench, have been frustrated with projects I needed to work on because of not having the right software for my computer. You most likely have done the same. It is very hard to accomplish the job we need when we do not possess or know how to use the right tools.

Jesus used tools as well. Does that surprise you? He was a carpenter for most of His life so He saw what happen when you had the right tool and the wrong one. Some of the tools Jesus used were; love, grace, scripture, and of course, miracles. Miracles as a tool? Absolutely, that is their purpose.

The nobleman came to Jesus looking for a miracle. His son was dying; he wanted his son to live. Jesus had compassion on both the Father and son however, understanding eternity He also would have know if the son would have spent eternity in heaven or hell. Having this knowledge He made a decision. Jesus love for all of us runs deeper than what we could ever imagine. He knows the incredible horrors of hell. No Halloween horror flick could ever truly compare to the sense of abandonment by God people will feel in hell. No Hollywood picture could capture the grandeur, splendor or wonderment of heaven. The decision was simple, based on John 3:16, 17 we know that God loves everyone and wants everyone to come into relationship with Him. God will draw people to His love always but we must choose to accept this love. Jesus used one of His tools, a miracle to touch the man, his son, and I am sure everyone who knew them.

What was the result of Jesus using the miracle of the boys healing? Verse 53 tells us the answer, “…he himself believed and his whole household.” It would be a disservice to the Lord to look at miracles as an end to themselves; miracles are always a tool to draw people closer to Him. Jesus could have made it into a spectacular event; He could have gone to the man’s home and healed the boy, but this time it was about entire family coming to faith. It sounds like had the boy died he would have spent eternity in hell. Jesus cares more than that.

Something we need to remember, everyone will have an opportunity to come to the Lord before they die. Some will experience miracles, others the still small voice, others will hear through other means. God loves all of us so much that He does all kinds of things to draw us to himself. You have people in your life that don’t know the Lord, you love them, want to see them come to the same knowledge you have and it is heart-breaking at times. Understand that the Lord knows and loves them even more than you do. Try to not worry or be anxious about you friends and family but keep placing them in the Lord’s hands. Whatever you hold on to will only be as good as what you can do. Whatever you give to the Lord will only be as good as what He can do! He can do a far better job in the lives of our families than we can. Give you family and friends into God’s hands; let Him use whatever tools are necessary to reach them. Life is not a short sprint, it is eternity and where we will spend eternity is dependent on our choices here on earth.