Power machines

‘Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do. I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do–yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.’ (verses 11-14)

Read John 14:1-14

Can I really do greater things than Jesus?

No-one, of course, can ever surpass his great acts of dying and rising to life again. But what Jesus is pointing out here is that we are empowered for great deeds as we are linked to him through faith. Because Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand we have, in Jesus, the power and authority to do great things in his name. He will give us whatever we ask for in order to do God’s will and bring him glory.

That makes you and me little power machines. Day by day, united with Jesus through faith and prayer, we are actually being a power for good. What we do will not exceed the quality of Jesus’ deeds but will be greater in scope.

Who knows what God is planning to do through you today, tomorrow and the next day?

Believe, pray, and power on!

Holy Spirit, keep me close to Jesus so that, by his power, I can indeed be a daily power for good. Amen.

by Grace Simpson, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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