Anchor My Faith

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Author: Stephen Weller
547 words, 3 minutes read time

Greater Works

Scripture: John 14:12-14

In the previous lesson the disciples wanted to see the Father and were not satisfied with seeing him in Jesus. With this lesson we will finish up this section by learning what our advantage is by believing in Jesus.

^{Jn 14:12} “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. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

We must start by asking what the “works” are that Jesus does? The term “works” is a broader term “signs.” John uses signs to indicate miracles that attest to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the Messiah, and that lead unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ. The “works” of Jesus include both his miracles and his other activities and teachings, including the range of his ministry. Jesus is telling his disciples that they should do things similar to the things he did in his life and ministry.

Jesus goes further and makes the promise that those who believe in him will do even greater works than he after he goes to the Father. So, what might these greater works be? We can get an idea of this by looking at the work the disciples did before and after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached his sermon, there were more that became believers than during the entire earthly ministry of Jesus. Today with the advancements of technology, much is accomplished through evangelism, teaching, and deeds of mercy and compassion. The ministry of the church empowered by the Holy Spirit is doing greater work around the globe than Jesus did. Jesus went to the cross to complete the work that now makes this possible. The works are not greater because of more amazing miracles but because they are greater in their worldwide scope and their effects on various cultures of the world.

Jesus then says, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” It is tempting for some to lift this verse out of this context of doing greater works and maybe using it in a different possibly selfish context to seek things we desire. In the context of the verse, Jesus is making the promise that if you have needs that need to be met that will help you do greater works, then we are to ask. The intent of this promise is to help you be more effective in ministry by doing greater works. The intent is to ask for help so that we can do more to God’s glory, not to our glory.

Conclusion

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and those who through faith in him are born again have the potential through the power of the Holy Spirit to do greater works that he did, not in terms of miracles but in terms of being greater in scope.