The Gospel According to Matt

As I listen to Kris Allen, winner of American Idol, sing my new favorite song “God of this City,” I am drawn to the three passages of Scripture in the Gospel of John where Jesus utters the phrase and promises “greater things.”  The first is in John 1:50 where a man named Nathaniel is willing to become a Christ-follower simply because of Jesus’ perception and discernment.  Jesus appreciates Nathaniel’s sentiment but promises, “You shall see greater things than that.”

The second time is in John 5:20 where Jesus heals a lame man and is questioned by the religious leaders who think Jesus is unorthodox for helping/healing someone on the Sabbath.  Almost tongue-in-cheek, Jesus says to His opposition: That’s nothing!  I will show you “even greater things than these…,” insinuating that he has not even begun to challenge their traditions yet, and predicting His death and resurrection.

The third time Jesus utters this phrase is in John 14:12, just moments before His arrest.  The Disciples know that something bad is about to happen and Jesus is trying to comfort them.  Knowing the end is near, He challenges them by saying, “I tell you the truth any one who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these.”  With these words He challenges His followers to continue His work—not just His first-century followers, but all followers throughout all time.

So what is the work we are to continue?  Isaiah 61 offers insight to His work saying it is “to preach good news to the poor; to bind up the broken-hearted; to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor; and to comfort and bless those who grieve and to lift them from despair; and to display the splendor of God.”  Not only does Jesus tell us to continue to do this Gospel work, but to do it on a greater scale than even He was able—and He promises to enable us accomplish the task with the help of His Spirit.

So I’ve got to wonder: Am I doing greater things in my city?  What about you?