Show Notes
In John 14:12, Jesus says, “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.”
Greater works — what does that mean? Jesus walked on water, and Peter did too... at least for a few steps. “Greater works than these will you do.” It’s the bane of every pastor. People say, “Pray for my healing, pastor; Jesus said, ‘Greater works will you do.’” The disciples healed everyone... sometimes, and also no one, sometimes. They healed... sometimes. And they cast out demons. I’ve done that, in Jesus’ name; it really freaked me out the first time! Jesus said to the 70, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” After his chapter on “Gifts of the Spirit,” Paul wrote about “the still more excellent way.” So...
Maybe the Greater Works are not “signs and wonders,” but greater churches built by greater pastors. At one time, I was esteemed by many as a great pastor because my church grew greatly from a few people to a few thousand people. At times, I felt like I was walking on water . . . but not very far, AND only because I was running as fast as I possibly could.
We watched a video of young men trying to walk on water by running really, really, fast... It seemed to be working (15 million views), but the video — even a few steps — was a hoax.
John 14:13, Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
Jesus said this to The Eleven at the last supper. All 11 died martyr’s deaths, except John who was exiled to a prison colony. Don’t you think they would’ve prayed, “God, please — put out the flames; please give my executioner the flu; please don’t let Jesus die on a cross... in Jesus’ name”?
In two chapters and in this same monologue, John 16:24, Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask that your joy may be full.” Isn’t that incredible? They had cast out demons and healed the sick BUT had never asked anything in Jesus’ name. WOW!
In Jesus’ name, would you pray to get rich when He said, “Blessed are the poor”? Would you pray to crush your enemies when He commanded you to “Love your enemies”? Would you pray for the best seat at the banquet when Jesus commanded you to always take the worst (Luke 14:10)?
I bet I know one prayer that none of the disciples had ever prayed at any dinner party, and so, of course, could not have prayed in Jesus’ name. I bet that none of them had ever prayed, “Father let me be the one to wash the feet, everyone’s feet, including Judas.”
It’s important to be aware of context and the danger of refrigerator magnets that can only contain a few words. When Jesus said these things — “Greater works than these, etc.” — He had just taken the form of a slave, washed everyone’s feet, and said, “Now is the Son of man glorified... A new commandment I give you, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’” It’s new but old, because it’s eternal. And it’s old but new, because Jesus just showed them what it meant.”
John has written extensively about “The Bread of Life,” and the entire Revelation is about the Blood which is Wine. But in his Gospel, instead of retelling the words of institution, John recounts how Jesus washed everyone’s feet — as if to say, “This is what communion with Him looks like in your everyday life.”
If you went to a party and started washing everyone’s feet, people would be very annoyed and rightly assume that you were a sanctimonious religious nut, trying to justify yourself by shaming everyone else. But what if you went to that party, and silently prayed, “Our Father, let me see Judas with your eyes; let me see those who are disappointed in me with your compassion. Let me forget myself and get lost in them. Let me sit in the worst seat, that they would sit in a better seat. Father, let me see my world and th
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