Greater Works Than These: Living Out Jesus’ Bold Promise in John 14:12

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

John 14:12 (ESV)

When Jesus made this bold declaration, He was not speaking to spiritual superheroes or seminary graduates. He was talking to ordinary men who had followed Him closely, men who were confused, uncertain, and deeply troubled about the future. And to them, as well as to us, He says: greater works.

What did Jesus mean by that? Are we truly meant to walk in this promise today? Let us unpack this powerful verse and its context to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live a Spirit-empowered life that reflects the mission and ministry of Jesus. The phrase’ greater works’ in John 14:12 is not only a bold promise but a defining invitation into the continued work of Christ through His people.

Jesus’ Words in Context: Comfort, Unity, and Promise

Before we explore verse 12, it is essential to understand the broader context of John 14. Jesus was preparing His disciples for a confusing and challenging transition. He began by offering them reassurance and peace.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

John 14:1 (ESV)

Jesus went on to speak of His return, His deep connection to the Father, and the power of believing in who He truly is. In verses 10 and 11, He highlighted that the works He performed were not His alone, but were the visible expression of the Father working through Him:

“The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works… believe on account of the works themselves.”

John 14:10-11 (ESV)

This teaching set the stage for what was to come next. In verse 12, Jesus takes the disciples’ trust to a deeper level by inviting them not only to believe in what they had seen but also to become active participants in continuing His mission.

Jesus was not simply leaving them with comforting words or fading memories. As we learn in The Blessing of Contentment: Trusting God with What You Have, contentment often creates the space where God begins to stir greater works through ordinary faith. He was commissioning them to carry forward His mission with boldness. This would not happen through personal effort or clever strategies but through the promised power of the Holy Spirit. The foundation for the greater works John 14:12 speaks of is laid right here in these intimate and powerful moments of instruction and assurance.

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What Were the Works of Jesus?

To grasp the whole meaning of the greater works John 14:12 refers to, we must first reflect on the works Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. These actions were not isolated miracles or acts of kindness. They were demonstrations of the Father’s nature and expressions of the Kingdom breaking into the present world.

• Healing (John 9): Restoring sight to the blind was a physical miracle, but it also revealed deeper spiritual truths about the revelation of the kingdom and the removal of spiritual blindness.
• Raising the dead (John 11): When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He demonstrated His authority over death and affirmed that He is the Resurrection and the Life.
• Provision (John 6): Feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish showed God’s abundant provision for both physical needs and spiritual nourishment.
• Teaching with authority (John 7): His words penetrated hearts and challenged the norms of religious legalism, setting people free through truth.
• Forgiving sin (John 8): Jesus not only restored dignity to the outcast, but He also modeled grace and mercy, offering people a new start.

These works were not simply acts of power. They were divine appointments revealing the Father’s compassion, justice, and redemptive plan. The greater works John 14:12 points to will follow this same pattern, declaring God’s heart to a broken world through Spirit-empowered love, truth, and action.

What Does “Greater” Really Mean?

The word greater in John 14:12 does not always suggest that the works will be more dramatic or spectacular. Instead, the Greek word meizona suggests something more expansive in influence and reach. Jesus was not limiting His followers to a specific type of miracle or sign. He was pointing toward the scale and scope of what the Church would accomplish by the power of the Holy Spirit.

During His time on earth, Jesus limited His ministry geographically to Israel. He ministered to thousands, taught in villages and synagogues, and healed many. However, the global mission He came to initiate would expand far beyond what any one man could accomplish during a three-year earthly ministry. This is where the promise of greater works becomes a powerful reality.

Through His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus made it possible for the Spirit to be poured out on all believers. The result was the birth of the Church, a movement of Spirit-empowered people spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

• In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fell, and 3,000 people were saved in a single day.
• In Acts 10, the gospel broke through cultural barriers as Gentiles received the Holy Spirit.
• Throughout history and to this day, believers carry out the mission of Christ through evangelism, church planting, acts of mercy, discipleship, and Spirit-led service in every part of the globe. Signs and wonders accompany them as they declare the Word boldly each day!

The greater works John 14:12 refers to are not about outshining Jesus.

As we see in Trusting God for Daily Bread: Letting Go of Tomorrow’s Worries, trusting God moment by moment opens the way for His Spirit to lead us into those very works. But about extending His presence and message across every nation, culture, and generation. Jesus lit the initial flame. The Spirit-filled Church became a blaze that continues to spread, fueled by obedience, love, and divine power.

Why Can We Do Greater Works?

Jesus provides the answer clearly in John 14:12. He says we will do greater works because He is going to the Father. This transition was not a departure of His presence, but rather the beginning of a new way in which His presence would dwell with believers. His ascension paved the way for the Holy Spirit to be sent and to dwell within us.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper… you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16–17 (ESV)

This divine Helper is the reason why the greater works John 14:12 talks about can become a reality in the life of every believer. Through the Spirit, we do not imitate Jesus from a distance. We become vessels through which His power flows. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives within us, enabling us to carry out His work with clarity, boldness, and supernatural strength.

This empowerment is not limited to a select few. It is given to every follower of Christ regardless of experience, background, or position. We are not merely spectators of the gospel. God has commissioned us as participants, called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world today. We become rivers of living water as described in John 7:38, carrying refreshment, healing, and truth into spiritually dry and weary places.

The greater works John 14:12 declares are possible because God has not left us alone in the journey. Peace in the Waiting: Trusting God as Your Provider reminds us that our waiting seasons are not wasted but are preparation grounds for Spirit-led action. The Spirit of Christ now lives within His people, equipping them to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, pray for the sick, and walk in step with God’s heart for the world.

Walking in the Promise Today

The invitation Jesus gave is not merely a theological idea meant for academic reflection. It is a practical and powerful call to action that impacts our daily lives. The promise of greater works, as described in John 14:12, becomes visible when believers live out their faith through Spirit-empowered obedience in real-life situations.

We walk in greater works when we:

• Share the gospel boldly (Romans 1:16), proclaiming the good news of Jesus with confidence and compassion.
• Pray for the sick (James 5:14–15), believing in God’s ability to bring healing and hope to those who are suffering.
• Live in unity with believers (John 17:20–23), choosing reconciliation, humility, and love in the family of God.
• Disciple others (Matthew 28:19–20), walking alongside new believers as they grow in faith and learn to follow Jesus.

These practices are not reserved for spiritual specialists or revival services. They are the consistent and faithful acts of ordinary Christians who trust that God will work through them. The greater works John 14:12 points to are made manifest when believers act with Spirit-empowered confidence. In “Grace to Continue: Strength for the Ongoing Journey,” we see that the courage to keep going often leads to new open doors for God’s power to be revealed. When believers take Jesus at His word, live dependently on the Spirit, and step into the opportunities God places before them each day.

Final Encouragement: From Admiration to Participation

Jesus does not call us to stand off in the distance, watching and applauding His work as though we are merely spectators. Instead, He invites us into His unfolding story. He welcomes us into the rhythm of His mission. He equips us to live with boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The greater works John 14:12 refers to are not reserved for a few spiritual superstars. They are available to all who live with surrendered hearts and obedient faith. Those who believe in Christ, listen to the Spirit’s promptings, and step out in trust are the ones who begin to see God’s power move through their everyday actions.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

So what about you? Are you willing to believe that the greater works Jesus described are still possible today? What if your next step of obedience is the open door through which those greater works become a reality? The God Who Finishes What He Starts reminds us that when God begins something in us, He is faithful to complete it through His power working in and through our lives. Through which those greater works become a reality?

Resources for Walking in Greater Works

Here are some recommended tools to help you live out the truth of John 14:12:

• The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee – A timeless exploration of living fully surrendered to the Spirit.
• Signs and Secrets of the Messiah by Rabbi Jason Sobel – A rich look into the miraculous and the Messiah’s identity.
• The Power of the Holy Spirit’s Names by Tony Evans – A 30-day devotional to help deepen your understanding of the Holy Spirit.
• Prayer Journal for Men – A beautiful leather-bound journal to reflect on your greater works journey.
• Now to Him Who Is Able Wall Art – A daily visual reminder of God’s power at work within you.
• Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NKJV) – A powerful study Bible with notes and articles on Holy Spirit living.

(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. These resources are recommended to help you grow in the Spirit-led life Jesus calls us to.)

Reflect on the works of Jesus. Which one resonates most with you today—healing, provision, teaching, or forgiveness? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into that area this week. And share your story in the comments below. Let’s walk in the greater things together.

It begins with Christ!

If you don’t know Christ as your savior, it begins with the first step. Believe in Him and make Him Lord of your life! Committing your life to serve Him is the most significant decision! For more information on serving the Lord, CLICK HERE!

Thank you for reading. Stay updated with my latest adventures and insights by subscribing to my blog and joining the journey.

Blessings,

Chad 

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