The words of Jesus in John 14:12 are some of the most intriguing and, at times, confusing statements in the New Testament. Jesus says, “Very 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.” For Christians, this passage raises an important question: What does it mean to do greater works than Jesus?
How can any human being surpass the miracles of Christ, who healed the sick, raised the dead, and walked on water? To understand this, we need to examine the context of Jesus’ words, the role of the Holy Spirit, and how believers today can live out this promise in their own lives.
In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of Jesus’ words and what they signify for Christians today.
Understanding the Context of Jesus’ Statement
Before we can fully grasp what Jesus meant by doing “greater works,” it’s crucial to understand the context in which He spoke these words. In John 14, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. He knows that His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension are near, and He wants to reassure His followers that His departure will not be the end of His work on earth.
Jesus promises them the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to continue His ministry. In John 14:16-17, He says, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”
So, when Jesus speaks of “greater works,” He is not suggesting that believers will outdo Him in power or importance. Rather, He is speaking about the scope and reach of the work that His followers would accomplish through the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Are the “Works” Jesus Is Referring To?
When Jesus talks about “the works” He has been doing, He’s not just referring to miracles, although they are certainly part of His ministry. The works of Jesus include:
- Preaching the Gospel – Jesus proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God, calling people to repentance and faith.
- Healing the Sick – Many of Jesus’ miracles involved curing diseases and physical ailments.
- Casting Out Demons – Jesus delivered people from spiritual bondage.
- Performing Miracles – From calming storms to feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish, Jesus demonstrated His authority over the natural world.
- Transforming Lives – Jesus changed people’s hearts, calling them to live lives of love, forgiveness, and obedience to God.
These works were signs that pointed to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the coming of God’s Kingdom. So, when Jesus says that His followers will do “greater works,” He is not saying that they will perform more impressive miracles but that they will play a role in expanding the reach of His work.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Empowering Believers
The key to understanding this promise lies in the role of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus returned to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower His disciples. The Holy Spirit would give them the ability to continue the work that Jesus began, and even to expand it in ways that were not possible during Jesus’ earthly ministry.
In Acts 1:8, after His resurrection, Jesus tells His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This is the greater work that Jesus refers to. During His time on earth, Jesus’ ministry was primarily limited to the region of Judea and Galilee, but after His ascension, His disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, would spread the Gospel to the entire world.
For example, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached and 3,000 people came to faith (Acts 2:41). This marked the beginning of the spread of Christianity beyond the boundaries of Israel, and today, billions of people around the world follow Christ.
The Holy Spirit continues to work through believers to spread the Gospel, heal the brokenhearted, and transform lives. The global reach of the Gospel and the sheer number of people who have come to faith in Christ are evidence of the greater works that Jesus spoke of.
Doing Greater Works: A Call to Action for Believers Today
So, what does this mean for us today? How can Christians live out the promise of doing greater works than Jesus?
1. Sharing the Gospel Far and Wide
One of the most important ways believers can do greater works is by sharing the Gospel with others. Thanks to modern technology, Christians today have unprecedented opportunities to spread the message of Christ. From social media to podcasts, blogs, and videos, there are countless ways to reach people with the good news of Jesus.
Jesus’ ministry was confined to a small geographical area, but today, believers can share the Gospel with people across the globe in an instant. This is one of the ways that the works of Christ are even greater today.
2. Loving and Serving Others
Another way Christians can do greater works is by following Jesus’ example of serving others. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
When we show love to others, especially those in need, we are continuing the work of Jesus. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, volunteering, or supporting charitable causes, we can demonstrate the love of Christ to the world.
3. Praying for the Sick and Needy
While not every Christian is called to perform miraculous healings, we are all called to pray for those who are suffering, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In James 5:16, we are told, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
By praying for others, we invite God’s power into their lives. Whether or not we see immediate miracles, we trust that God is working in ways that we often cannot see.
4. Living a Life of Faith
Doing greater works than Jesus doesn’t just mean performing miracles; it also means living a life of faith and obedience. Jesus was the perfect example of what it means to trust God completely and to live in accordance with His will.
When we live by faith, we become a testimony to others of God’s power and goodness. Our lives can be a reflection of Christ’s work, drawing others to Him.
Jesus’ Promise: Greater Works Through Unity in the Body of Christ
One important aspect of “greater works” is that Jesus wasn’t just speaking to His disciples as individuals—He was speaking to them as a community of believers. The Body of Christ, united by the Holy Spirit, has the potential to accomplish far more together than any individual could on their own.
When believers come together in unity, they can:
- Reach more people with the Gospel.
- Support one another in prayer, encouragement, and service.
- Tackle bigger challenges in society, such as poverty, injustice, and inequality.
The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to continue His ministry on earth, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can do even greater things together than we could ever imagine.
Conclusion
Jesus’ promise that His followers would do “greater works” is not a call to outshine Him but rather a call to expand His work. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to preach the Gospel, love others, pray for the needy, and live lives of faith and obedience.
While we may not perform miracles like Jesus did, we can still do greater works by sharing His message with the world, serving others in love, and living as a testimony to His grace and truth.
The challenge for every Christian is to embrace this call—to be active participants in the work that Jesus started and to trust that, through the Holy Spirit, we can make a lasting impact on the world around us.
By understanding this passage in its proper context and applying it to our lives today, we can confidently move forward, knowing that we, as believers, are called to do even greater works in the name of Jesus. Whether through our words, actions, or prayers, we have the incredible opportunity to be part of something far bigger than ourselves—the ongoing, global work of Christ.
FAQs: Greater Works Than Jesus
1. Did Jesus mean we would perform more miracles than Him?
Not necessarily. Jesus’ reference to “greater works” is more about the scope and reach of His ministry through His followers, not necessarily the performance of more or “better” miracles.
2. How can I do greater works in my everyday life?
You can continue Jesus’ work by sharing the Gospel, serving others, praying for those in need, and living a life of faith that reflects Christ’s love and truth.
3. Can anyone do greater works, or is this promise only for certain people?
Jesus’ promise is for all believers. Anyone who has faith in Him and is empowered by the Holy Spirit can participate in doing greater works.
4. Why did Jesus say we would do greater works than Him?
Jesus said this because after His ascension, the Holy Spirit would empower believers to continue and expand His ministry to the ends of the earth.
