On Greater Things–Lent 14, 2015

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. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

In the business world and in education, even at home, there’s something to be said for setting performance goals.

Jesus starts the ones for His disciples with “I tell you the truth” which in the Greek is the solemn double Amen.  In other words, it’s really important that we get this one.

With Christ in the Upper Room, Jesus sets performance goals for believers of all time, culminating in verse 13-14’s Promise-Prayer-Promise ( I will do…you may ask…I will do).

Throughout this section we see some key points:

1. We will do what He has been doing (i.e. teaching, making disciples, making God known).
2. We will do greater things than Jesus did because He is going to be with the Father in heaven and we can pray to the Father through Jesus.
3. We will bring glory to Jesus and Jesus to the Father because Jesus will make sure to answer our prayers when we pray “in His Name” (i.e. in alignment with His will)

Having watched Jesus perform miracles, drive out demons, and teach with authority, the goal of doing what He has been doing might have seemed a bit daunting.  Then Jesus ups the ante: you’re going to do greater things than He did.

Isn’t that expecting a bit much?” the disciples might have thought.

Maybe our problem is that we expect too little. 

Too little of God.  Too little of ourselves. 

And we offer too little back to Him as a return on God’s investment in us.

(Aw go ahead.  Articulate that ouch.  I did when writing it.)

Greater things than these.  Greater things than these.  Greater things than these.  Greater…in number?  Greater…in kind?  Yes.  I think the answer is probably “Yes.”

Let’s reword things a bit:

“Because I am going to the Father,” [a disciple] “will do even greater things than these.”  More than just miracles that testify to divine power and make it visible to the world, Jesus’ disciples—by teaching, making disciples, and making God known through His Word—we will unleash the divine power of God upon the world, as He gives and fulfills His promise of eternal life to others.

The show of divine power in miracles for us to see isn’t something that God views as particularly impressive for Himself.  But here’s what brings Him great joy and glory:  Because Jesus is going ahead of us…in Resurrection…as the Risen Son of God…to be back at home with the Father, the resurrection power of God increases with every disciple we make.

And His glory increases with every one saved. 

Greater things in number because of each one saved.  Greater in kind because God’s glory keeps increasing as He pours out His divine power and reclaims His image bearers.

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Give it Up for Lent: Low expectations of God and self.

Put it On for Lent: Performance goals of doing what Jesus did by making disciples and teaching them

For further thought:

• Today’s passage is vastly misunderstood and misapplied.  John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing” has been used to suggest we will all be performing miracles, walking on water, etc.  How is this a misrepresentation of the main activities of Jesus and the purpose of miracles in attesting to Jesus’ Messianic fulfillment?
• John 14:12b He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”  When someone says “I’m going to do even greater things than Jesus did!” what does that sound like to you?
• John 14:13 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  Will a magic “In Jesus Name I pray” –like “Roger, Over and out”–serve to ensure Jesus does what you want Him to?  Rather than that, what does it mean to ask in His Name?  Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 for more insight.

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