We’ll outperform Jesus?

John 14:12 “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.
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Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. What could Jesus be talking about when He says we will do greater works than He did? What could be greater than raising a man from the dead?

As marvelous as the resurrection of Lazarus was, he came back to a world filled with poverty, hatred and fear.  In fact, he became a target for assassination because so many people were coming to Jesus because of what happened to him. (John 12:10)  Once he was resurrected his body continued the process of decay and eventually he died again.  I have visited his tomb in a church on the island of Cyprus.

But now that Jesus has returned to the Father we can share eternal life with people – life that does not end in a tomb.  Not a life in a world of sorrow, poverty and misery like Lazarus returned to but life without end in the glorious presence of God!  Life eternal where our bodies are not daily dying – in fact, nothing is dying – rather everything is alive with real life, eternal life.  How much greater is that?!  And the purpose of it all …?

Jesus said, “To glorify the Father”.  (John 14:13)  When we share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ the greatest work of all is done – the Word of God is sent to accomplish its purpose, eternal destinies are changed and the Father is glorified.
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John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.