“Truly, truly, 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 the Father” (John
14:12).
Hey Gang: My daddy
was a coal miner, a bus driver and a custodian in a school. His formal education ended in the eighth
grade, due to the depression and his need to help support his family. My mother's background was very similar. Her father passed away early in her life. She, too, ended her school years in the
eighth grade, to care for her brothers and sisters while her mother scrubbed
floors at the local Post Office to keep bread on the table.
By worldly standards, both did not score very high on the
"opportunity for achievement chart".
But, they had a drive deep in their hearts that their four sons would
have a greater opportunity for achievement than they did; they also sacrificed
their lives to make that happen. They
were bound and determined to make sure that their four sons would have "greater
works and opportunities” than they had.
Their eldest son became a pilot, later squadron commander
and gained the high rank of Colonel in the Air Force and raised a family of
five children- who also are successful in their various fields of
interest. Their second son became a
master's level college graduate and entered the business world; he, too, was
the father of five (two are decease), the others are also successful in living
their lives as contributing members of their community.
Son number three is yours truly; college graduate, served
this country in the Air Force, founder of a youth and family treatment center. We
raised four children, all college graduates (David deceased) and today are
making a difference in the lives of youth and families.
Son number four completed Tech School and eventually became
the head tech rep on an atomic submarine.
I believe my parents, both eighth grade graduates, could say, "They,
our children, did greater works than we
were able to do".
I wonder how the disciples felt the day that Jesus shared
this promise “greater works will you do”
with them. In many ways they were like
my momma and dad, poorly educated with no standing in the social levels of
society. They saw Jesus heal the sick,
cast out demons, even raise the dead. Do
you think they might have said to Jesus, "Who me?" I think I would have.
But, when we look at the life and ministry of Jesus, we note
that He was never outside this small area on the Mediterranean Sea and was
restricted by time and space. Billy
Graham in one Crusade probably preached to more people than Jesus did in all
His ministry on earth. He spent much of
his ministry walking from one place to another. Graham could be in North
Carolina in his home in the morning and preaching a Crusade in London that very
evening.
Yesterday, the medical profession announced that they have made
another major break thought in learning the root causes of cancer and have even
had success in defeating this Satanic killing device. Is that what He meant by "greater
things?" He gave ability to
scientist to take us to the moon and do things in the world of technology that
blow our minds, even in this day of rapid learning. Is that what He meant?
Soooo, my friends and neighbors, this I know, I was able to
accomplish things in my life that were far beyond the capacity of my parents,
not because I was smarter than they but because they gave me opportunities to
use my abilities in a way they never had the opportunity to use theirs. When Jesus taught this lesson to His
disciples He knew His day on earth were few, but the provision had already been
designed in the Throne Room of Heaven - He would send a Comforter to live in the
heart of every believer - and through that comforter we would do greater things
than He was able to do in limited time and space.
Blessings,
Gramps
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