Greater Works Than These Shall You Do

Devotion #3 of 13

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

God Speaks from Heaven

Following the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus was received in an unusual way by the people. They took branches of palm trees, and went before Him crying, "Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord, even the King of Israel" (John 12:12). Notwithstanding their apparent approval of Jesus, He became "troubled," sensing the impending death He was to accomplish, and His rejection by the people. During this time, He lifted up His voice to heaven crying, "Father, glorify Thy Name" (v.28a). In response, God spoke out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again" (v. 28b). How will the people respond to a revelation like this? THE VOICE OF THE ALMIGHTY, UTTERED IN THE PRESENCE OF PEOPLE! It is written, "The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, were saying that it had thundered: others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him" (v. 29). Only Jesus knew what had really happened. You see, external phenomenon-- even the voice of the Almighty--cannot penetrate the hard hearts of unbelievers! Do not miss this! God Spoke from heaven, and some thought it thundered!

Visitation of Israel

God visited Israel in the Person of Christ. The visitation was accompanied by an unprecedented display of signs and wonders, together with teaching that caused the people to marvel and stopped the mouths of His enemies. He was "anointed" by God, and "went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil" (Acts 10:38). His miracles were marked by a diversity that had never before been seen. The dead were raised, the lame were healed, and the blind received their sight. The dumb spoke, lepers were cured, and multitudes were fed until they were filled, with a small lunch. He brought a coin from a fish's mouth, cursed a fig tree, and stilled a storm. He walked on water, cast out demons, and stopped a flow of blood that had continued uninterrupted for twelve years. How marvelous were His works. Yet, His mighty deeds did not induce faith. When He died, He was forsaken by all. The day of Pentecost began with only 120 people remaining convinced He was the Messiah. Jesus spoke of the rejection of the people in these words: "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes . . . because you did not recognize the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:42-44). If you think that a mighty outpouring of miracles will change the people, think again. Here was a people that were cultured to receive Christ, and yet they missed Him. You cannot change a heart with things that are seen--even miraculous things.

The Record Is More Powerful!

The fact is, we are told by God that the RECORD of Christ's miracles has more power than the sight of them (John 20:30-31). That is a matter of revelation, not interpretation! So far as I know, no miracle, however marvelous, was ever called "the sword of the Spirit" -- The Word IS (Eph 6:18). No person was ever begotten by God through a miracle -- we ARE through the Word (James 1:18). Man does not live by seeing miracles, but "by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4).

Do Not Oppose Miracles

Let no one conclude from this that I am speaking against miracles. God forbid! I am not saying God never works transcendantly to nature. God is still "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us" (Eph 3:20). We will not allow anyone to take that declaration from us, or shut us up to dependency upon the wisdom of men and the working of nature. But if you want faith -- if you want to live before God -- if you want your name written in the Lamb's book of life, it will take more than perceiving a mighty wonder, or even hearing the voice of Almighty God speaking from heaven. Faith does not rest upon the seen, and neither can you! Faith is, in fact, "the evidence of things NOT SEEN" (Heb 11:1). The individual that places an emphasis upon miracles has acted rashly. God never did place the EMPHASIS there. Neither Moses, nor the Prophets did. Jesus did not. And neither did the Apostles. If you really desire God to work mightily in your life, you must first "believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of him that diligently seeks Him" (Heb 11:6). The power is in your faith, not your sight! Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing (Rom 10:17).

--TOMORROW: THE PLAGUES OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION--