Greater Works Than These Shall You Do Devotion #10 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)

"GREATER WORKS"

What are "greater works"? Are they greater miracles? Is Jesus saying that the person believing on Him will perform miracles of greater magnitude than those wrought by His hand? Or is this a promise of miracles that will be greater in number? Is there a sane person in all of the world that would care to defend such preposterous suppositions? Do we have--or has the world ever seen--an individual that wrought miracles of greater degree than those of Jesus? Has anyone been raised from the dead after more than four days? after mortification has set in? How many trees have been cursed? Who are the people that went fishing to pay their taxes? Perhaps some would dare to say they have worked MORE miracles than Jesus--"greater" in quantity. I would not hesitate to call such a person a liar of the worst rank. The record provides only a smattering of the wonderful miracles wrought by our blessed Lord. We are told the world could not contain the books that would have to be written if a precise record was given of every one of His "wonderful works" (John 20:30-31).

The Spirit's use of the word "greater"

It is the manner of the Holy Spirit to take common words and enhance or enlarge them, giving them special signification to the believer. "Greater" is one of those words. As used normally, "greater" can mean "larger," "prominent," or "majestic." But that is not the meaning of the word in our text. Jesus is not saying that the individual believing on Him would do larger works, more prominent works, or more majestic works. Such a thought is absurd, bordering on blasphemy. As used here, the word "greater" indicates a higher, loftier work; one that is of another order. Jesus, for example, is "GREATER than John the Baptist" (Matt. 11:11), the "temple" (Matt. 12:6), "Jonah" (Matt.12:41), and "Solomon" (Matt. 12:42). The Spirit is not indicating that Jesus would be a more popular man than John the Baptist. Nor, indeed, will He have a more lustrous appearance than the Temple. Jesus is not greater than Jonah because larger cities repented at His preaching. He did not merely have access to a greater mass of facts and observations than Solomon. Although all of the above ARE true, it does not touch the subject of Christ's greatness. He was higher, loftier, and superior to John the Baptist. His mission was greater. His work was greater. His death was greater. His current minister is greater. It is all of another order. Jesus was a different kind of dwelling place, that is why He is greater than the temple. Refuge is found in Him that cannot be found in earthly habitations; even the temple of God. He is the prophesied "covert" that God has provided for a hiding place (Isa 32:2). Jesus did not simply come to preach repentance. He came that we might "have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10), and He has been exalted to "GIVE repentance and the remission of sins (Acts 5:31). What He has brought to us is infinitely greater than the message Jonah brought to Nineveh. Jonah preached no Gospel. He gave no promise. He offered no hope. Jesus does, and is therefore greater than Jonah. The wisdom that was brought by Jesus was different than that of Solomon. It was of a higher order. Solomon was expert in things pertaining to this earth; Jesus brings wisdom concerning heavenly realities. He teaches us to handle unseen verities, and navigate in eternal realms. His is a greater Wisdom. In fact, God has made Him our "wisdom" (1 Cor 1:30). "Greater works" are works of a different and higher order. They have to do with bringing down strongholds of thoughts, defeating arguments, and convincing men of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. Things are accomplished in higher realms, and have eternal ramifications. They involve turning men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. These "greater works" result in changed hearts, spiritual understanding, and power, love, and a sound mind. They are of a higher order.

More Things that are Greater

The Word of God speaks of a "greater love" (John 15:13), "greater riches" (Heb. 11:26), and a "greater tabernacle" (Heb. 9:11). Again, these things are of another order; they reside in a different and spiritual dimension. "Greater love" is a different kind of love. "Greater riches" are a different type of riches. The "greater tabernacle" is of another order.

Conclusion

Jesus announced the induction of a new era--one that would find men working at a higher level, and with remarkable success. The one believing on Jesus is not made greater than Jesus, but is able to work "greater works," because Jesus does more from heaven than He could upon the earth. He Himself declared He was straitened, or greatly restricted, before He accomplished His death (Luke 12:50).

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