Greater Things?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”
John 14:12-13

Wow what a thing to say!

That we will do even greater things than the Son of God?

How does that work?

It’s as Paul says in the New Testament; these works are accomplished by the power of Jesus Christ living in us! Jesus is alive in us and so it is not by our own earthly power that we will do the same works as Jesus but by the work of Jesus himself in us. It’s not our power, but the power of God! Isn’t that amazing that Jesus lives in us and has given us the power and authority to pray and see people healed, to see miracles happen before our very eyes!

Many people feel uncomfortable with this, that we have power and authority and think it somehow means we control or command God. That isn’t the heart or the point of it at all. It is as we get to know God’s heart and come into line with His will for us and the people around us that we can move in this power. It is no longer us, our desires or selfish ambition, but God, by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We act and pray in line with God’s will, with His heart and in His name. It is then that we will do the same works as Jesus and even greater ones. But is it then really us?

I was reading a book by Shane Claiborne the other day and I have come to the conclusion that these works that we will do, these greater things are not just to do with miracles at all. The book talks about how Jesus didn’t heal and perform miracles to show His power. When Jesus was tempted by the devil He didn’t turn a stone into bread and prove His power. No Jesus’ miracles are not performed as a demonstration of who He is but a demonstration of LOVE. Every time Jesus heals or performs a miracle it is out of the heart of love. And it is for that reason we remember them to this day, because even after Lazarus was raised from the dead, he later died. Those who were healed later died of some sickness or another. But as Christ lives in us, His love also inhabits us. Yes, we may see miracles and healing but these come from the heart of love.

It is because of the love of Jesus Christ in us, that we will see greater things all across this world, in our schools, work places, homes, cities and nations! So let’s overflow with the Love of Jesus, let it consume every part of our being and go out into this world to love our neighbour as our self!