Greater Things
Jesus spoke some interesting things that have garnered much speculation throughout the generations. Just because what He spoke generated speculations does not mean it wasn’t true. Jesus never lied. He only spoke the truth. One such saying is found in,
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 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. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
I have heard some speculate that what Jesus is talking about here is a time when advances will be made, and more people will be reached because of them. Technologies such as Radio, Television, Social Media, Medical and Scientific advances, and so on. They are so grounded in natural solutions that the idea of anything supernatural escapes their thinking. They actually prefer manmade solutions over supernatural ones.
However, the Scriptures show that this word from Jesus was fulfilled already after His death, resurrection, and ascension. What it reveals is very supernatural indeed.
Did Jesus ever heal anyone with just His shadow? Peter did.
Acts 5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also, a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Did Jesus ever heal anyone or cast out demons by sending handkerchiefs or aprons from His body to them? Paul did.
Acts 19:11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
I can personally testify to having sent a handkerchief to someone sick and having them be healed instantly. I’ve only done it once, but it was miraculous nonetheless.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The gift of the Holy Spirit comes with power, not in some abstract, weak way that is difficult to discern. When the Holy Spirit comes on a believer with power, it transforms them into witnesses.
A church without the power of the Spirit has lost its witness and will miss out on doing the things Jesus did and even greater things. As believers in Jesus, in these last days, we need the Holy Spirit more than ever. Greater things await those who will believe and receive all that He has to offer them. What might He have in store for you? The only way to ever find out is to surrender to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to use you the way He desires. Ask Him to fill you to overflowing and use you as a witness for Christ, and then enjoy the adventure He will take you on as a result.
