Greater works than Christ??

One of the quotes that has really impacted me comes from the book Christ Object Lessons.

“It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.”[i]

From this passage it doesn’t appear that the preaching of the gospel should take a long time, but that it should be completed quickly. But what is the hold up? We all believe that God has the ability to finish the work, so if this is the case, why aren’t we seeing this happen quickly as it should? Could the answer lie with us...that we simply are not bearing fruit for his glory?

In John 14:12 we are told, “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.”

It’s important to note here that when Jesus really wants to insist on something, although every word that He speaks is truth (it can be nothing else), He still adds emphasis by saying, “Verily verily,” which means “truly truly!” Here He tells us, with the added emphasis on “truthfully,” that anyone who has faith will not only do what He has done, but will do greater things.

Obviously, we cannot be the Saviour for the world, only Jesus could accomplish this. But because He is now standing at His father’s throne, interceding on our behalf, He promises that even greater works than His will follow our lives if only we believe. Anyone who has faith in Christ can do what He has done and more!

This is a pretty gigantic promise. If you read the gospels, you quickly realize the magnitude of the possibilities. To do what He did would already be great indeed. But to do greater??? How could this be? I sure haven't seem this promise come true in my own life yet! And yet, this is what God promises, and He does not lie, nor does He change. We are told:

“The gospel still possesses the same power, and why should we not today witness the same results?”

Hmmmm…..that's pretty mind boggling, don't you think? I'll let you chew on that thought for a little while. 

Why do I share this? Not to discourage you (for I'm in the same unproductive boat) but to challenge you to DARE to ASK GOD for more! If He intended more, we should seek more…so let's keep asking for more of His Holy Spirit. We need sooo much more!!! 

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[i] Christ Object Lessons, p. 69