While Jesus made some astounding promises, none is harder to believe than this one: “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these . . . ” (John 14:12).
But before concluding we shouldn’t believe this promise, let’s consider why Jesus said we should. In the final phrase of the verse, Jesus said, “. . . because I’m going to the Father.” In John 16:7 the Lord said, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not some to you.”
The reason to believe this unbelievable promise is because Jesus said he would go to the Father who would send the Spirit to be with us and in us. Remember, Jesus didn’t rely on his divine nature to perform miracles. Rather, all of his power came from the Holy Spirit. This means that the same power available to Jesus is available to you and me.
I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we began to pray with expectation for the sick to be healed? Or, began to kick out demons in his name?
Sometimes when I pose that question I’m asked, “What if my prayers for the sick don’t work?”
I think that questions expresses the fear of failure we often associate with prayer. For that reason we follow Jesus in his teaching and discipleship methods, but not in his supernatural ministry.
Perhaps the question we should be asking is this: What if it does work? Next week I’ll look at that.
Photo by -l.i.l.l.i.a.n-, CC
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