The Greater Works

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 12, 1904

The Greater Works

IN his instruction to his disciples on that last night before his crucifixion, Jesus said to them: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.” Remembering that Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead, some have been led to inquire what these greater works could be.

If we study the whole lesson as recorded in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of John, we shall see that Jesus is seeking to set before the disciples the privileges and blessings which would result from his ascension to heaven and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They must be enlightened concerning these things in order to avail themselves of the benefits resulting from his incarnation. “The Saviour was deeply anxious for his disciples to understand for what purpose his divinity was united to humanity. He came to the world to display the glory of God, that man might be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifest in him that he might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in him. His perfect humanity is that which all his followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as he was.”

Although his bodily presence was to be taken from his followers, yet by his representative, the Holy Spirit, he would still be in his church, dwelling in the heart of the believer, and revealing the working of his divine power. Thus in response to the faith of each believer there would be manifested the same works which Jesus himself wrought. In this way the works of Jesus would no longer be limited to his bodily presence, but his works would be greatly multiplied, as believers multiplied. In speaking of “greater works than these,” “Christ did not mean that the disciples’ work would be of a more exalted character than his, but that it would have greater extent. He did not refer merely to miracle-working, but to all that would take place under the working of the Holy Spirit.”

And we are to remember further that what was stated to the disciples is not limited to any generation or to any place. “The Saviour’s promise to his disciples is a promise to his church to the end of time. God did not design that his wonderful plan to redeem men should achieve only insignificant results. All who will go to work, trusting not in what they themselves can do, but in what God can do for and through them, will certainly realize the fulfilment of his promise.”

Depending upon such an assurance as this, the people of God to-day may go forward with courage to accomplish the work of warning the world of the judgment hour and the coming Saviour. In giving the great commission to his followers, Jesus said, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. . . . And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” The faith in the church which lays hold of this promise will reveal in the church the greater works. Thus will testimony be borne to the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Thus will the coming of the kingdom be greatly hastened.