Amazedنموونە

The Promise of Greater Works

Imagine attending a banquet honoring an Olympic runner. A record-setting superstar with numerous gold medals. As this stellar athlete gives a speech, he tells the crowd that after his retirement, everyone in the room will begin running as fast, or faster than he did. If you heard that, what might you think? High hopes mixed with a few questions? That said, what did the disciples think when they listened to the following? And what does it make you think as you read those words?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12, ESV).

Before those words, Jesus informed his disciples that he would be going away but promised them a future home with him forever (John 14:1-3). Then, in verse twelve, Jesus disclosed what else his going away would lead to and why. One is that his followers would do greater works than these, or, greater works than he did during his life as he and the Father worked together (John 14:10-11). And, this promise is given to “whoever believes." Which means that every Christ-follower is included among those who can do these “greater works.” Works that are only possible because of the following truth: “Because I (Jesus) am going to my Father.”

The final words from verse "twelve" coincide with the Lord’s final earthly words: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, ESV). After those remarks, Jesus ascended to His Father, and ten days later, the Holy Spirit was sent. Without the Holy Spirit, the greater works that believers were destined to do would not be possible. But because Jesus returned to the Father, it led to the coming of the Holy Spirit. Accordingly, believers for two thousand years have been empowered for “greater works” as Jesus continues to minister through his followers like you and me.

Reflection: Which words in John 14:12 encourage you the most? Thank the Lord for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to serve him.

John 14:1-23