Today’s scripture: John 14:12-17 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
I remember reading this passage when I started seminary in 2007. It caused me to pause, because I had never really taken seriously the notion that I could do anything greater than Jesus. It made me think about what is really important and really true.
Sometimes I lived like all that mattered was that I have faith in Jesus and ask for forgiveness and accept God’s mercy and know that I will be blessed. This of course is good, but was that really it? Jesus was saying to me here in John 14 that if I believe, then I will also do the work Jesus started, and that I will do greater works. I am not only redeemed, but I will take part in the redeeming work of God. Awesome responsibility!
Too many times in my past I made sure I was in church on Sunday, and that I went through the motions I thought God wanted me to. Was I allowing the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, to live in me as Jesus says? Was I allowing this advocate to live in me and guide me to where I was following Jesus and doing the works of Jesus? I never even thought about doing something greater.
I don’t know about you, but I hear too many of the messages about what it means to be Jesus as “preaching to the world” and telling people to be saved. How redeeming is that? I can shout as loud as anyone. Introducing someone to Jesus is less about shouting and more about doing the works of Jesus. Jesus healed, he forgave, he loved, and he spent time with people others did not like or love. Jesus spent time with sinners, with those who were considered the lowest in society, and those who were oppressed. He showed them all a piece of God. He showed people, through his teaching and parables and how he lived, how to connect with God.
So this made more sense to me. How is it that I can do greater works than Jesus? I can show people a piece of God. I can share God, and the hope and love of Christ. Jesus’ ministry on earth came and went in three years, but his whole life was about being Christ. How do I spend my life following Jesus? How am I continuing to do the work of Jesus? I can share a piece of God wherever I go, and continue the work of Christ.
Prayer for the day: God, help me fulfill this teaching of Jesus. Help me to continue to do the works of Christ, and help me allow the Holy Spirit to guide my life and to recognize that through the Holy Spirit, Christ abides in me. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.