“Very truly I tell you, all who have faith 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.” – Jesus.
Whoa. Greater things, LORD? I don’t know, I haven’t seen anyone raised from the dead lately. Nor have You healed any disease with the touch of my hand, or stopped the torrential rains that have officially arrived here in
So, I’m reading this great book called the Irresistible Revolution (Shane Claiborne), and he’s the one that has got me thinking about Jesus’ affirmation that his disciples are going to do even greater things than He. Could it be that Christ’s miracles were not so much an expression of His mighty power, as they were an expression of His love? After all, it wasn’t Jesus miracles alone that had lasting significance. Lazarus did eventually die again. The sick that were healed by Jesus’ touch were probably not immune to the common cold or other diseases down the road. And the thousands of men, women and children that ate from the 5 loaves and 2 fish, were hungry again the next day.
What was lasting about Christ’s miracles was His love. It wasn’t that Jesus healed a leper, but that he touched a leper…because no one touched lepers. “And the incredible thing about that love is that it now lives inside us. Jesus assures us that His Spirit now lives in us; He was going to the Father, but would also remain inside of us, and we in Him. We are the body of Christ, the hands and feet of Jesus to the world. Christ is living inside of you and me, walking the earth.” (Shane).
I am a believer in miracles, and Jesus’ power to do them, please don’t misunderstand me. The truth is though, I can get easily discouraged when not much can be seen. Little fruit, little progress. I guess that’s why Jesus said that those who have faith, will do what He did. Faith is the opposite of sight.
And love is what He did. And love is enough.
God has made me able to do great things, because I have access to that same love.
I guess that is what Mother Teresa meant when she said, “we can do no great thing, only small things with great love.” It’s love that makes the greatness.
(but I still don't get the "er" part.)
