“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”1—Jesus, to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion
Let’s call out the metaphoric elephant in the room, shall we? How does Jesus’ promise to His followers, “greater works than these will he do,” resonate with us? We read these words and nod in acceptance because Jesus spoke them, but doesn’t doing “greater things” than Jesus seem more aspirational than accessible? He’s the one who taught the truth, confounded the cunning, healed the sick, and raised the dead. And we will do greater things?
When we think of “greater works than these,” miracles first come to mind, of course. It is true, God still works miracles and wonders in, through, and around us. Were we to ask 20 randomly selected people how God has shown Himself to them in miraculous ways, I firmly believe we would be absolutely astounded at their stories (and perhaps rightfully convicted by our doubt).
But let’s also consider this one truly “greater work” God does through us, His people in Christ. Two thousand years after Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection, how big has His church become? (Remember to include “the church triumphant,” all who have gone on before us.) Billions! And still growing, still spreading! How, we ask? Through people! God continually redeems fallen people through people once fallen and now redeemed. Paul says as much: “[God] reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”2 Thus it has gone for two millennia and continues still: God reconciles fallen people to Himself, then sends then sends them out as reconciled people to those still fallen. In the grace of God, we who rebelled against Him have the humbling honor of directing people back to Him. And the body of Christ relentlessly expands, spreading like wildfire yet today. And Heaven grows. That God would fix the world through us who broke it—what wisdom, what privilege; such love, such grace.
Paul continues, “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”3 So stand strong in your reconciliation to God through the atoning work of Jesus. For He has prepared works for you to do4—“greater works,” we might humbly say, the greater works of reconciliation and its fruit of growth.
Father, your wisdom, love and grace are beyond our comprehension. Thank you for making us your ambassadors and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. May you find us faithful to this call. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 1 John 14:12 ESV
2 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
3 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
4 Ephesians 2:10
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