“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.
— John 14:12 (NKJ)
One of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to show us how to live victoriously. Everything Jesus did, he did as a human. At the time of his baptism in the river Jordan by John, the Holy Spirit came upon him and filled him with power. The same happens to us when we receive the Holy Spirit. We, too, receive power and boldness. After his baptism being led by the Holy Spirit, he went into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. Here Jesus shows us how to overcome the enemy. Instead of trying to defend himself, he quoted scripture in answer to him. Besides overcoming the devil and not giving in to him as Adam and Eve did, He was modeling for us what to do when tempted.
Having Jesus as a role model helps us. And now that I realize Jesus truly felt and experienced everything I do, I have confidence in who God says I am and that I, too, can be victorious in my day to day living. When I make a mistake and fail, I simply say, “oops, I missed it”, brush myself off and rejoice that I am no longer that old person.
Jesus is telling us in this verse that, as believers, we are able to do the works that he did. I’m not sure what “greater works” means, however, the Greek word for greater can also mean more. So it may mean that as we are his seed and there are larger numbers of us, it amounts to more.
Reading the gospels often helps us zero in on how Jesus lived each day. Imagine yourself on the hillside listening to his teachings or in the small circle of disciples as they interacted with him daily. He faced real storms on the sea and in life, paid taxes, healed the sick, faced rejection and got up in the mornings to face another day just as we do.
As we celebrate Jesus coming into our world as a baby, we are seeing signs all around that his return is near. This time he will come in human form again, but as the King of kings and the Lord of lords to get his bride.
Merry Christmas!
“Because He appeared my soul feels it’s worth”
Let’s Ponder -The Reason He Came