PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
John 14 (click the link)
KEY VERSES:
"12 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. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14, NKJV)
REFLECTIONS:
I don’t know about you but when I read verse 12 after reading story after story of what Jesus has done around Palestine the theme music from “Mission Impossible” starts rolling through my head. This is Jesus talking. And He’s saying that those who believe in Him will do greater works than these? How is that possible? We know God can’t lie and He said the words, so how do we obey this verse and make it our reality without watering it down, twisting the meaning, or trying to explain it away? Well let’s step into Tom Cruise’s shoes and find out.
Jesus did awesome things while He walked this earth—restored sight, healed lepers, fed multitudes with a few fish, walked on water, raised the dead! And that’s the short list. But notice that Jesus didn’t say that the disciples or anyone else would do greater miracles (I mean it’s kind of hard to top bringing a 4 day old dead guy back to life). Let’s look at Luke 19:10 says the “Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This is the work that Jesus was here to do—to see sinners saved, and then He tells us that we will do that too. I think Jesus was talking about quantity regarding our greater works. Think about it: more were converted in one day at Pentecost than during the entire earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. The extent of what the apostles went on to do after Jesus’ death was made possible because Christ went ahead of them to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to empower them. And that’s the coolest thing about Jesus to me—He’s always one step ahead, making the impossible possible. Verses 13 and 14 go on to say that if we’re asking for the right things with the right motives (to see sinners saved) then Jesus will answer. It’s important to not take this verse out of context. People look at verse 14 and think it’s like having a genie in their pocket—that asking in Jesus’ name is a guarantee. James 4:3 says that, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” More often than not our motives are misplaced when we ask for things. But we can rest assured in John 14:14 that if we’re asking for the right things our prayers will be answered. Jesus tells us to use prayer to release His power and bring His blessing. So often we sell ourselves short because we view things from only a fleshly, earthbound perspective. However, when we serve and pray in Jesus' name, incredible things happen! Jesus does greater things through us than we can imagine!
APPLICATION:
As I reflect on these verses I think about all the ways that PRF is currently partnering with various organizations for local and world-wide missions. Romans 10:13 says. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” which is an awesome promise of the Word, but it goes on in verse 14 and 15 to say, “How then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things.’”
If our greater works lay in the significance and importance of seeing multitudes saved from their sins, then I think PRF is on the right track with our partnerships. We’re working with Street Youth Ministry of Austin (this month’s focus!), the South Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, we support the Helping Hands Crisis Ministry of Spicewood, we’re resourcing families for orphan care, teaming with God of Hope prison ministry, supporting Hailey Bland in the world-wide mission field and Love-N-Care Ministries in India. Our people and our resources are at work in the world. And that’s exciting!! This is what we’re all about… bringing glory to God by seeing people saved! There’s a life worth living. There’s a purpose worth committing yourself to. I’d encourage you to get involved with one of these areas if you aren’t already, and start taking part in the greater works that Jesus has planned.
WHO AM I?
I’m Jennifer Babb and I love music. I can’t remember a time that music wasn’t present in my life. To this day it feeds my soul. I listen to everything, but definitely have a weak spot for rowdy country music (I know you are all shocked by that). But, as I read John 14 a song came to mind as I read the well-known verse 6 where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Songs are always popping up like that. New World Son has a song called “There is a Way” that I really like and thought I’d share. I also really love singing “The Eyes of Texas” in support of the Horns! J
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