Jn.14:12 – Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.
This is one of those too good to be true or He must be saying something for just the apostles or very special Christians passages. He couldn’t be talking about just average me could He? Actually He is. He is talking about the Holy Spirit working through weak vessels to display His greatness. It was never about the talent in those the Lord chose to work through, it was always about Him being glorified by working through imperfect people. Jesus is describing to the disciples (and to us) just how powerful the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is. The anointing that was in full display in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth would be working in and through people everywhere after Jesus was glorified. He wants to show His power in and through each of us. Here is how Augustine describes this.
‘But what, then, are those greater works? Was it that their very shadow, as they themselves passed by, healed the sick? For it is a mightier thing for a shadow, than for the hem of a garment, to possess the power of healing. The one work was done by Christ Himself, the other by them; and yet it was He that did both.….They were hearing and believing, and their faith was the fruit of those very words: howbeit, when the disciples preached the gospel, it was not small numbers like themselves, but nations also that believed; and such, doubtless, are greater works. And yet He said not, Greater works than these shall ye do, to lead us to suppose that it was only the apostles who would do so; for He added, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.”
The Lord did amazing things through that rag-tag group of disciples He had trained. The power of God in them healed the sick, cast out demons, and even raised people from the dead. He also used them to bring multitudes into the kingdom of God. The greater works were on full display, they are in full display around the world still today.
Jesus was the ultimate follower, the purest of all, for He only did and said as the Father instructed. Jesus the man had no agenda other than to do the will of His Father. When we are born again, the process of being transformed from our former agenda’s to a Christ centered one, both takes place immediately and daily. The renewing of our minds through the washing of the Word and the full power of the Word becomes digested in us as we consume it. So if we take, say a Joey Chestnut’s approach, (a speed eater’s best effort) in consuming the Word, that doesn’t work either, for the Word say’s “be anxious for nothing” There are no short cuts with God only grace and His grace allows us to be insiders in His works and plans. He only asks us to be faithful with what we have today.