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“EVEN GREATER THINGS:” WHAT DOES JESUS MEAN?
Jesus says that his people will be able to do even greater things than him (John 14:12). Various interpretation exists surrounding this statement. Being careful not to misinterpret or misrepresent what Jesus says, believers should understand the possibilities of what he means. I believe there are two primary meanings behind Jesus’ words, which should be carefully considered when dealing with the church’s work.
Greater by Volume
One interpretation of Jesus’ words suggests that he means greater by volume, i.e. the number of people reached with the gospel. Consider the incredible advances modern generations have compared to those during Jesus’ earthly ministry. With the invention and advances of the web, swift travel, television, radio, and other mass-communication devices, God’s people can reach more people than in any point in human history. Certainly, Jesus impacted the world more than any other figure in history; yet, the church now has the capability to exceed the number of people even Jesus reached during his earthly ministry. In that regard, it, therefore, makes sense that Jesus would suggest that his people would do even greater things than he.
Greater
Participation in the Spirit
Perhaps, Jesus means a greater participation in the Spirit. Prior to Pentecost, believers did not have the free outpouring of the Holy Spirit, i.e. while surely the Spirit existed, he was not freely given to God’s people as he has been since Pentecost. Believers now have the full capacity of the Holy Spirit poured upon them; additionally, God the Spirit indwells the hearts of his people. On that first birthday of the church, God richly poured himself upon his people and has indwelled the hearts of believers since that time. Christians then participate in an even greater manner than followers of Christ during his earthly ministry. It is not that participation in the Spirit did not subsist during Jesus’ earthly dwelling; yet, the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit dwelling among his people had not yet occurred until Pentecost. Christians may now participate fully in the Spirit as the people of God rather than in a manner that was seemingly held back from full employment. In this way, the church can do greater things than not only the followers of Jesus during his earthly ministry but Jesus himself as well. No longer do God’s people have to come before a priest to approach the throne of God, for they can come directly to him as priests themselves. Such participation is vastly different even from those in Jesus’ own ministry. Because of this access and this participation in the Spirit, the church can accomplish even greater things than Jesus himself did.
Greater Things
because of the Greater One
Doing
greater things does not mean being greater; Jesus is still the greatest and
will always be the greatest (because he is God). While the capacity to reach
people with the gospel has greatly increased since Jesus’ earthly ministry, the
only reason God’s people have such access is because of Jesus. Thus, while the
church can accomplish greater things, it is because of the one who is greater:
Jesus Christ. No matter what we do for the glory of Christ, may we never forget
that it is all because of him. Any good that comes from our lives should be
returned as praise to the only one worthy; let us then give thanks to God for
the honor of sharing in his story by participating with him in his work.
