Back out on Winterjam, our devotions tonight centered around these words of Jesus:
John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
This is an incredible statement! Just pause and recall all the amazing miracles that the disciples would have seen Jesus carry out- making blind eyes see, feeding 5,000 with a boy's packed lunch, calming a storm, walking on water, casting out demons, and even bringing Lazarus back to life. Yet Jesus says that anyone who has faith in him will not only do what he has been doing but will do even greater things.
It wasn't too long after Jesus spoke these words, that on the day of Pentecost after Peter's speech, thousands gave their lives to Christ- an occurrence that didn't actually happen throughout Jesus' own earthly ministry. And while Jesus never left Palestine, the early church influenced and shaped the whole of the Roman Empire.
When we read further on into chapter 14 of John's gospel, we see two keys to doing 'greater things'-
1. Praying in the name of Jesus- v. 13 and 14
2. The provision and presence of the Holy Spirit- v.16 and 17
So really it's the Lord doing even greater things through us! We can read these words and move on, or we can really claim them, stand upon them, and take them as an invitation to join in a glorious, miraculous, lifestyle of intimacy, obedience, service, and power.
You can't imagine what these words have just put on my heart. Just last year my wife and I went to our first Christian concert in State College Pa. Due to a seating mix up we ended up a couple rows back on the floor. The music was awesome and Brandon kicked butt too, but I had never joined so many in prayer and worship before, as when you came on stage. Oh, to have one ounce of the faith Jesus spoke of. All of you keep up the job you do for our God. You helped bring this one home. Thanks!
Posted by: Joe Lewis | March 17, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Thank you for these words...I had my Bible open to John and was searching for a verse to put on my FB page. These are awesome words of Christ! and to think, He means me as well as you! All of us, together as the body of Christ. What a cool club to belong to! God bless you and your efforts.
Posted by: Becky Sandridge | March 18, 2010 at 05:40 AM