Greater Works Than These Shall You Do Devotion #11 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)

NOT PRIMARILY EXTERNAL

Take our father Abraham for example. He was a great man, which is indicated by the fact that he is the "father of us all" (Rom. 4:16). Yet, Abraham was not a miracle worker. In fact, you cannot find anything of external prominence that he did. His faith was his strength, and it worked no miracles for him. Yet, he did do works--works that were recognized by heaven. Thus it is written, "They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds (works, KJV) of Abraham." (John 8:39).

John the Baptist

A notable example of greatness is found in John the Baptist. Jesus said of him, "among those born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matt. 11:11). He came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (Lk. 1:17), great miracle worker of old. Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kgs. 17:6), increased a widows meal and oil (17:9-16), raised a widows son (17:17-24), stopped the rain and caused it to come again (18:41-45; James 5:17-18), brought fire down from heaven on Ahaziah's army (2 Kgs.1:10-12), caused the waters of Jordan to part (2 Kgs. 2:8), and was finally translated into heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kgs. 2:11). You would think that anyone coming in the spirit and power of Elijah would, therefore, be a mighty miracle worker. Elijah was never stronger, never more effective, than when he challenged Israel with words: "How long halt ye between two opinions" (1 Kgs. 18:21-39). That involved his greatest work; turning the hearts of the people to God! It is said of the Baptizer, "John did NO miracle" ("performed no sign"), John 10:41. Yet he was "greater." What did he do that was so "great"? He "made ready a people, prepared for the Lord" (Lk. 1:17). He brought the "knowledge of salvation by the remission of sin" (Lk. 1:77). The whole "country of Jordan" came out to John, "being baptized by him in the river Jordan, and confessing their sins" (Mark 1:5). What a remarkable work! Enoch did nothing like this, nor did Noah, Abraham, or Moses. The holy prophets, with all of their witness could not accomplish a work like that. John was "greater" than them all!

A Greater Miracle Is Not Possible

A minimum amount of thought will confirm that one miracle cannot possibly be greater than another. From the human point of view, what is the difference between making a fly and creating a world: both are impossible to man. Is it any more difficult to raise ten men from the dead than to raise one? It is not possible for one supernatural physical phenomenon to be more transcendent to nature than another. Outwardly, signs and wonders are wrought in the realm of nature. Consequently, Satan also works "signs and wonders"--"LYING signs and wonders" (2 Thess. 2:9). The term "lying signs" does not mean they are fraudulent, or not real. It means the sign is against the purpose of God, and leads men into delusion and error. The Egyptian magicians had rods that became real serpents--although Aaron's rod swallowed up theirs (Ex 7:12). They turned water into blood (Ex 7:22), brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt (Ex 8:7)--although they could duplicate none of the other plagues (Ex 8:18). Paul spoke of the coming of a wicked one "whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2 Thess 2:9). John the Revelator spoke of "the spirits of demons, working miracles . . . " (Rev 16:14). Even Moses spoke of false prophets who prognosticated by dreams and wrought signs and wonders (Deut 13:1-3). Those who MAJOR on the tangible, and things perceived by the senses, have greatly limited themselves. Nature is not the realm of "greater works." This does not mean Divine benefits are not experienced in nature it does mean such experiences are inferior to eternal things. "Greater works" transcend Satanic efforts in a manner never accomplished before the exaltation of Jesus! In my judgement, those who EMPHASIZE the miraculous (visible signs and wonders) have made themselves vulnerable to the wicked one. I realize some of our readers will think I am questioning the validity of external miracles--but this is not the case at all. I am stating the realm of nature is not the realm of "greater works" or "greater things." Jesus has inducted a new day, in which we are joined to an eternal order. We have been "raised up and made to sit together with Christ in heavenly places" (Eph 2:6). From there, "greater works" are accomplished!

-- MONDAY: GREATER WORKS DEMONSTRATED --