Greater Works

Introduction

Twice in John there is a reference to “greater works.”

John 5:20

John 14:12

It is an interesting statement in both cases it is used, each with their own applications for us.

The “Greater Works” of Christ

John 5:20 NKJV

20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

Jesus had healed a man on the Sabbath (John 5:1-8).

Some of the Jews “sought to kill Him” (John 5:16) for healing a person on the Sabbath (cf. Exodus 20:10; Matt. 12:2).

Jesus never did anything to break the Law, under which He lived! (Hebrews 4:15).

Their accusations of lawlessness resulted from their own misapplications of the Law!

They were so blinded by their own traditions that they didn’t even acknowledge the “great work” that had been done - a lame man had been healed!

They should have recognized what was going one - God was working His plan (John 5:17).

Jesus associated Himself with God - in working God’s plan - in such a way that the Jews took it as blaspheme and “sought all the more to kill Him” (John 5:18) - if they wanted to kill Him before, they really wanted Him dead now.

Jesus describes His “oneness” with the Father in very clear terms (John 5:19-21).

They are so closely associated in their being and nature that the actions of one cannot be disassociated from the other.

This is the kind of “oneness” Jesus prayed for us! (John 17:20-21).

Not even Paul could say that he had achieved, “attained,” it, but he kept pressing on to that goal (Phil. 3:12-16).

Are we pressing toward the goal of our conduct and character being indistinguishable from God?

In carrying out the Father’s plan in complete oneness with Him, Jesus would do even “greater works” than these” (John 5:20-21).

The “greater works” are a comparison of degree with the original “work” performed in this context - healing the lame man.

The Christ would do much more than heal physical ailments, He would heal the soul! (John 5:21).

The “Greater Works” of His Disciples

John 14:12 NKJV

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

Jesus was preparing His disciples for the Cross (John 14:1-3).

Thomas asked “how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

Philip asked to see the Father (John 14:8).

In His response to Philip, Jesus again refers to the works He had done to work God’s plan (John 14:10-11).

So, “greater works” (John 14:12) is, again, a comparison of degree to the works that Jesus had done.

In the first case, a comparison to His own works in time - He was going to ramp things up.

In the second case, it is a comparison His works and the future work of His disciples.

The apostles would receive the baptism of the Spirit to continue the Lord’s work (John 14:15-21).

Through their work, the kingdom would spread for beyond Judea (Acts 1:8).

We continue the greater works of spreading the word everywhere we go!