Readings for today: 2 Samuel 4-6, John 13:31-14:14, Psalms 119:17-32, Proverbs 15:31-32
“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. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
This passage has always thrown me for a loop. Greater works than Jesus? Greater works than the Son of God? Greater works than the 2nd Member of the Trinity? Surely you jest, Jesus! Jesus healed. Jesus raised the dead. Jesus cast out demons. Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus calmed the storm. Jesus died for the sins of the world. How in God’s name can I be expected to do greater things than Jesus?
My problem is twofold. First, I tend to read this passage “selfishly.” What I mean by that is I tend to assume Jesus is asking me to perform miracles in my own strength. According to my own wisdom. I look at my own resources. My own lack of faith. My own struggles and doubts and fears. And I naturally assume there is no way Jesus is serious so I dismiss what He has to say out of hand. Surely, I cannot do greater works than Christ! Jesus is asking the impossible!
Secondly, I tend to read this passage individualistically. I assume Jesus is talk to me as an individual. I am supposed to do greater works? I am supposed to perform miracles? Anything I ask for in Jesus’ name will be fulfilled? I forget I am part of a larger community. Something the Bible calls the “Body of Christ.” I forget that the people Jesus is addressing understood themselves “communally” not individually.
What’s my point? When we read the Bible “selfishly” and “individualistically”, we run the very real risk of missing so much of the what Jesus is talking about. Jesus is not lobbing the ball back into our court as He heads to His Father. He promises to be with us always even to the end of the age. He promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling presence of the 3rd Member of the Trinity. He promises we will be clothed with power from on high when the Spirit descends. This is not a power that arises from our own strength or the depth of our own faith. It comes to us as a gift from God. And as we exercise this faith. Praying in Jesus’ name. Praying in alignment with His purposes for our lives. Praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. His promise is sure. He will do it. He will accomplish it. He will work miracles and signs and wonders in and through us.
That last word is key...us. This isn’t about me. It’s never about me. It’s always about us. Always about the community. The Body of Christ. The family of faith. God clothes us with power. God indwells us when two or three are gathered in His name. God equips us for His work in the world. God gives us gifts so that we can encourage and equip and empower one another along the way. God works through His church to bring His blessing to the world. Surely when one considers the impact of the church on the world over the last two thousand years, one can see the fulfillment of what Jesus tells Philip. We have indeed done greater works than Jesus! Not because we are greater but because we who have surrendered to His will have allowed His Spirit to work through us to bring blessing all over the earth. What Jesus began with 12 men has now impacted billions. And all this happened after Jesus ascended to His Father.
You were created for more than you realize, friends! You are part of something larger than yourselves! God has a much greater plan for your life than your personal success! God wants to use you...and those you live in relationship with who love Jesus...to change the world! To declare the glories of the gospel to the ends of the earth! Imagine if all of us pooled all our resources. All our time. All our talent. All our treasure and put in service to proclamation of the gospel? Imagine the impact we could make! Here’s the good news! You don’t have to imagine it. You can see it already happening all around us as Christians gather together to fight injustice, serve the poor, visit the sick, love the incarcerated, and help those in need. Are you part of it? Good. Push yourself to take another step. Are you not yet engaged? What are you waiting for? Jump in and experience the joy of serving Christ alongside those who love Him! You were meant for greater things than you know! Trust the promise of God!
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 7-8, John 14:15-31, Psalms 119:33-48, Proverbs 15:33