At the end of Jesus Christ life he emphasized the importance of his
leaving. As far as his disciples were concerned that was the last thing they
wanted. They deeply desired for their lord to remain with them for ever. He
knew that he had to go.
Regardless of their desire for Jesus to remain with them, Jesus Christ
shared the importance of his leaving. In fact, it was imperative that he
leave. His departure would open doors to great works for the disciples to do.
And really they would have the opportunity to do even greater works than what
Jesus Christ was doing! They must have been flabbergasted at just the
opportunity to do the works that Jesus Christ did – but to even do greater
works!
John 14:12:
Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I
go unto my Father.
His departure was crucial, so that His disciples could do greater works.
John 14:16-19:
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it
seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with
you and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I
live, ye shall live also.
Jesus Christ leaving the earth was the best thing for man. As much as
having him on earth was wonderful, his departure opened the door to the
greater works of John 14:12. As a result of his finished works of redeeming
man and then God raising him from the dead and then his ascension, it opened
the door to the new birth realities to every man and woman on the earth.
The Greater Works
Within the new birth realities is the privilege to do the “greater works.”
The greater works include the greatest act of all acts that man can do for
another – to help someone get born again of God’s spirit. We are the ones
God has directed to hold forth the Word of life.
Philippians 2:16:
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,
that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Another greater work which first became available on the Day of Pentecost
was speaking in tongues. It gave the born again ones a sign that he was truly
saved. An example of this is when Peter declared of Cornelius’ household
being born again because “…they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God…” (Acts 10:46).
Speaking in tongues ushered in a new and more direct way to pray to God.
“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God…” (I Corinthians 14:2).
Thankfully Jesus Christ was not talked out of his mission in life by
staying on earth. He had to go. He lovingly laid down his life knowing God his
Father would raise him the 3rd day. He realized that he had to go
via the resurrection. This ushered in the greatest reality any man or woman
would ever dream of: To be born again of incorruptible seed and to have the
physical evidence of speaking in tongues that assured the believer he was
saved. Along with this greater works, being able to speak in tongues, the
child of God had the calling to do the greater work of bringing the message of
salvation to others. This allowed others to enjoy the new birth realities and
participate in the family business.
Now we wait for the gathering together of the saints when our lord and
savior returns for us, then we will have to go as well. “lord come quickly!”
Bob Lindfelt
