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'GREATER WORKS THAN THESE'When
he said we would do "greater works than these, it was, I believe, one of
his most astonishing and unbelievable statements. How could we do greater than
he? Couldn't be. Impossible! Yet he said it, so I know it's true, But I have
never heard it talked about or anything written on these words. Why? Precisely
because it is so hard to believe and even harder to understand. He did such
amazing feats and miracles! His big time connections! His papa was the
original Godfather! What could he have meant?: Greater than these& I've
pondered over this many times throughout my life and look forward to sharing
my explanation. To some Christians this might smack of irreverence or apostasy,
yet I offer these contrarian view points with the highest regard for my
Redeemer. What may seem to be disparaging remarks about Jesus from our earthly
viewpoint, may actually be truth from a heavenly vantage. So while not wanting
to tick off my brothers in Christ, I still plan on expressing my perspective, Thousands
of books have been written on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Our Messiah did a good deed. He laid down his life for a corporate What
if they were by your death going to live perfect lives forever? Wouldn't you?
And YOU could do this as a flawed human being, not a perfect 'man, who just
happened to be God's son! If a perfect son of God could do this, would it not
be a greater thing if a sin-laden imperfect person could do this? Wouldn't
that imperfect person be showing even greater love and more sacrifice than a
perfect deity was? What comes easily for paragons, comes with greater
difficulty for less perfect specimens. And lastly, what if God told you
personally that if you
(fill in your name) gave your life on Friday, but would be back on
Sunday to have dinner with your family, you would bring life to all creation?
That Godly guarantee would make dying a whole lot easier. Now
consider what He asks us to do. If we become a Christian (the only smart
choice in life), we have to die for him, die unto ourselves, and perhaps even
for fellow Christians, or harder still: dying for strangers or enemies. Jesus
really knew God when he agreed. We barely know Him when we agree. Regardless
of the way we give our lives in death for God or others, we are
showing greater love and faith, doing a greater work than he did. He
had faith in the seen (He saw Jehovah every day less three of his long eternal
life). We have faith in the unseen. His own words, "If we have faith in
what is seen, what great thing have we done?" add to this defense. A
parent's love for his child is greater than the child's love for his parent
(usually). Therefore for a parent to lay down his life would not be as great a
deed as a child who laid down his life for his parent. let alone for a
stranger. Yet, we at times go even that far in showing love. There were no
strangers to Him! Jesus
loved his father, while truly knowing his father was fair and just. We love
Jehovah, even when so so much he allows or causes seems so unfair. Jesus loved
in strength, position, in knowledge, in sight. We love in weakness, in
unknowing and by faith. That requires more. It is a greater work. He suffered
for His God really, really bad for three and one half days, Many, and I
believe most, suffer really, really bad for years and decades, and even whole
lifetimes for our God. That is greater. I
am not trying to minimize what he did, Rather maximize what Christians do by
faith, love and works. It's pretty amazing! And yes, I realize we don't do it
on our own. I love my Savior, but He said we would do greater works, and maybe
you might now see how right he was. Which requires more faith and courage? The adult who walks across his bedroom at night to use the bathroom, or the child who walks into the dark room? The obviousness and radiance of the answer should reflect back on the rest of this essay. Greater in deed? Greater indeed!!!
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