Manifested Love Pt 12: Greater Things
John 14:12-14 12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
These three verses are dramatic, promising great things and yet can be puzzling. We have read of Jesus’ life and of his miracles and some ask themselves, “How can I possibly do greater things than the Son of God himself?” And then they answer themselves, “But it would have been different if I were there then watching all these things, being in his presence, hearing his teaching!” If I assume that last statement was not proposing some sort of time travel but is a whimsical wish to have actually been one of Jesus’ disciples or at least a camp-follower, then it is probably wrong.
Folks, there are quite a few verses that show that people didn’t get Jesus much of the time. Peter rejected him three times in the course of three hours, Judas betrayed him, the beloved disciple, probably John, ran away from Jesus in the garden. Jesus was dynamic in his speech, but puzzling in the way he taught, and people had a hard time with him. Even his disciples, who lived with him night and day for over three years, were perplexed by things. If we were there walking with Jesus, it would have been as a Jew embedded in Jewish culture, so we would probably have been bewildered too. So we should be especially careful to not read our own 21st Century wants and wishes into Jesus’ words, and should endeavor to understand them from the perspective of the 1st Century Jewish culture which was hearing them.
Will do the works
I have a friend who fairly often laments that we don’t see the ‘greater things’; “Where are they,” he asks. Since Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, how come no one is doing that now? Where are the healings? Where are the lame made to walk? I think many, if pressed, would admit to the same questions.
First, let’s remember that although God, Jesus was limited in time and space in his human form. He couldn’t be in more than one place at a time so he was limited to ministry and teaching to the people in front of him. He performed many miracles, but they were mostly done among the Jews in the region around Jerusalem. This is the first of the greater things: Because we are post-resurrection. post-Pentecost believers we have the Holy Spirit available to us. Our bodies may be limited in time and space, but our prayers are not. Also, we have access to much wider places than did Jesus. We can minister in Denver, New York City, or Helsinki. Jesus never went to any of those places.
Another of the greater things is the conversion of the unsaved. Bringing someone into eternity with Jesus is of much greater value than healing a limb or curing cancer. Now before you get upset and say, “God can do anything!” remember this: Jesus had not yet suffered, the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out at Pentecost; the separation of God and man, caused by sin, was still very much in place. So yes, greater works would come simply because Jesus was going to the Father. Remember, the Holy Spirit couldn’t come until Jesus went away. In this context, it was not in spite of Jesus going away, but because Jesus was going away that greater things would happen. In connection with this let’s remember one thing: Jesus’ life only foreshadowed the fuller coming of the Kingdom of God. In the present day we have the great, great privilege of testifying to the world by word and deed to the work of Messiah.
Whatever you ask in my name
In the 1st Century the use of someone’s name evoked the essence of that person; his very character and nature was brought to mind. It was a way of aligning the speaker with the referenced person. When we ask for things in Jesus’ name we mean to ask in a way which is in accordance with Jesus’ character and more importantly in a way which is in line with Jesus’ will—that is, to bring glory to his Father. So in context ‘asking in his name’ does not give us purview to ask for stupid, or selfish, or hurtful things.
I’ve been in prayer services where a long prayer would be going on and then at the end—almost as an afterthought—is said ‘in Jesus’ name’. Even this is on the edge of acceptability because it is kind of like saying, “OK, I’m done now.” Are we bringing glory to the Father if we ask for a friend’s cancer to be healed? Yes. Are we if we ask for a new car? Probably not. Asking for things in Jesus’ name is serious business. Have we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior? Are we making an effort to enter into an intimate relationship with him? Are we seeking to draw into his life and his sense of purpose? When those things are present in our lives, we will see what needs to be done within our sphere of influence. Always with a supernatural and spiritual point of view we can ask in his name because it will align with his desire to glorify the Father. By the way, how do we glorify the Father? By living our lives in accordance with his redemptive plan; by praying for others; by seeking to live in righteous ways; by submitting our will to his.
When the disciples were in conflict with the Jewish leaders they offered a good example of prayer in Jesus’ name:
27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:27-30)
What about me?
Reader, do you pray? I assume so. I often pray ‘on the run’ through the course of my day, but I also set apart special times of exclusive prayerful devotion to God. I am endeavoring to increase those times for they are powerful and effective (James 5:16). Be sure to remember one thing: God loves you no matter what. He wants to talk to you and have you talk to Him. He knows what’s going on in your life anyway, so seeking him in prayer, devoting time to it, fervently engaging in it is a way of expressing your love and devotion to him.
Prayer is a good thing no matter what your mood. Yelling at God when you’re angry is still prayer. Have you ever noticed that when some tragedy has happened, maybe the death of a loved one, that you feel better when people gather around you? Nothing has changed about the tragedy, but the presence of people who love you and care for you makes a difference. It is the same with God. He loves you and wants to be with you; he wants you to accept him into your circle. Please let him in. Please talk to him. It makes all the difference.