“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
John 14:12 (NLT)
This is one of those verses that still stretches me. Jesus says that anyone who believes in Him will do the works He did—and even greater works. At minimum, disciples are called to do what Jesus did. Belief isn’t passive; it’s the starting point of obedience.
Mark’s account of the Great Commission helps frame this. Jesus says miraculous signs will accompany those who believe. Authority to heal the sick, confront darkness, and walk in God’s power was not limited to the Twelve. Jesus sent out the seventy, and after His resurrection, He reaffirmed that call. The standard never dropped.
So what does “greater works” mean? Not greater in glory, but greater in scope. As disciples multiply disciples, the work multiplies. What Jesus did in one place, His Spirit-filled Church does everywhere. The works increase because the workers increase.
Jesus tells us how this is possible: because He went to the Father. By going, He sent the Holy Spirit. The same resurrection power now lives in believers—not only to witness, but to work. Jesus modeled a life fully yielded to the Spirit. He is still the standard.
It starts with belief. It continues with yielding. Let’s stop lowering the standard and live the full truth of the Great Commission.