Greater Things?

February 9, 2021

“I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father! For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And that is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him. Ask me anything in my name, and I will do it for you!” John 14:12-14 TPT

This is one of the places in the story of Jesus that completely blows my circuits every time I read it. Greater things than Jesus did? Me? How is that possible?

As I have considered that many times over and heard the opinions of Bible scholars and preachers, I think I know a few things it means that really encourage and empower me. It surely doesn’t mean more sensational and amazing…nothing could be more amazing than what Jesus did, even Himself resurrecting from the dead.

Partially, of course, the things we do are more numerous and widespread than Jesus did while He was here. He had chosen to limit Himself to the restraints of humanity, and therefore could only be in one place at one time. When He is working through us as His followers, He is working so many miracles and transforming so many lives in one moment of time, in places all over the world. Think of all the people NewPointe alone is working with just now in 2021! Greater works for sure!

But I believe the major impact of His words is “because I go to be with my Father!” Jesus’ work here was not fully completed until He returned to be at the right hand of His Father. He told His disciples that when He returned to the Father, the Church (Jesus-followers) would be filled with power to begin a whole new mission. The Holy Spirit would come and fill us, the gospel and the kingdom would be ruled by love, and the new relationship with God would be open to the entire world. We would share the message with the whole world for whom Jesus died. There would be torrents of Jesus-followers coming from every tribe and nation, every group of people, because Christ died for all. Jesus-followers could now operate from a true position of power and faith because Jesus already won the victory. That has been decided. He will always be with us, empowering “the greater things.” He gave this directive to us, assuring us that He has all the authority in the universe, and He would be using it on our behalf. No wonder we can do these greater things! It’s the greatest privilege of life. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

• Walk through this day with this confidence: Say, “I am doing GREAT things. Jesus is with me!”