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Greater Works Than These (John 14:12-14)

 Jesus starts speaking here with that familiar, "truly, truly, I say to you…" which reminds us that he intends to teach something new. It's the language of a prophet.

Jesus says that those who believe in him will do greater works than he does, and that is truly shocking. Jesus going to the Father will be the reason that we receive this new power to do these greater works. Everything that we are able to do in the spiritual life is somehow connected to the work that Jesus has done to save us.

Jesus is not trying to say that God will give us houses, boats, cars, and money in His name; he is trying to encourage us to trust him with everything that we need, especially spiritually. If we want to be more spiritually fruitful, and we ask for those gifts, those are the prayers that are always answered. The great saints in ages past are great not in themselves, but in their willingness to trust Jesus with everything that they are. We can do this, too!

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