“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. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” John 14.12-14
This past week this verse grabbed hold of my thought process and wouldn’t let go. I’ve read this verse plenty of times before but for the first time, I took time to pause and reflect on what Jesus was saying.
All throughout the book of John is this simple phrase Jesus says, “I tell you the truth.” And it’s always followed by a very profound TRUTH. You get the feeling every time He says it that He’s really saying, “Stop, pay attention this is really important! This is Truth. Truth you can count on, Truth you can live by.”
This “I tell you the truth” statement is followed by an incredible statement!
ANYONE, who believes in me WILL DO the same works I have done and EVEN GREATER WORKS.
What? We will do even greater works than Jesus? How can that be?
Remember Jesus said, “I tell you the truth!”
Do we believe this? Do we live like this is possible? Do we pray this way?
I think Paul did. Paul traveled sharing the Good News of Jesus with people all over the known world. Jesus didn’t go beyond Israel. Paul healed, cast out demons, raised people from the dead and constantly remembered this power wasn’t from him but from the One who had died for him. He gave Jesus glory and counted it a blessing to suffer for Him.
It’s not a competition, it never was and it never will be.
What it is . . . is refusing to keep the joy and life we have experienced in Christ to ourselves. It’s choosing to share Jesus with our friends, our families, our community, and the world. It’s making a difference, living outside our comfort zone, and radically following.
Jesus isn’t saying we will BE greater than Him, only we will do greater things than Him. Why? He knew that we would be able to do greater things when He went back to His Father. Think about it. The Holy Spirit would come to dwell within us. The power that raised Jesus from the dead would reside in us! Immanuel – God with us!
Believers would be unleashed to spread the Good News throughout the world, touching hearts Jesus never could and the Kingdom would expand exponentially!
As I consider this new journey, what would happen if I began to pray that I might do greater things? Could it really be possible? Think what God could do with a nobody who is totally sold out to Him! Not in our own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit. Not to bring us glory but to give God glory. To expand HIs Kingdom.
What if you and I were to take Jesus at His Word and live like this?
What would our communities, our country and the world look like if those who truly believed in Jesus really believed this was true?
“Jesus will you enable us to do Greater Things not for our glory but for YOURS, because You are with the Father and You say to ask anything in Your name and You will do it! I believe and trust in You. I desire to proclaim Your truth and see Your Kingdom expanded! Amen.”
kristi
Grace Spilled Over 