Jesus makes an incredible statement to his followers in John 14:12: They will do even greater works than his because he is going to the Father.
Greater works than Jesus'? How is that possible?
There has been much discussion about this - a variety of explanations. I like one offered by Ronald Dunn in his delightfully-written book Don't Just Stand There: Pray Something.
He places that statement in context - Jesus' answer to Philip's request to show them the Father in John 14:9-14.
Jesus tells his disciples that "anyone who has seen me has seen the Father". He tells them that the words he speaks are the Father's and the works he does are the Father's work. He is in the Father and the Father is in him.
He goes on to say that anyone who believes in Jesus will do the same works and even greater ones because he is going to the Father. That "anyone" includes me as a believer - and everyone else who follows Christ.
He ties it all together with the power of prayer in verse 13: "You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."
What a promise! But does he really mean "anything"?
Dunn says that prayer is the means by which God works. It was through Jesus' life of prayer that he was able to know where the Father wanted him to be and what he wanted him to say and do. The Father was in him and Jesus was completely surrendered to his will.
The "greater works" that Jesus is talking about are not our works - they are Jesus working through us when we are completely surrendered to him just as he yielded himself to the Father.
Dunn notes that Jesus says he will do anything we ask in his name.
"To pray in the name of Jesus, then, is to pray according to his will, with his approval, and consistent with his nature, character and purpose," Dunn says. "Therefore, it is as if Jesus Himself were making the request. That is our authority."
When we pray like that, our prayers can't fail. And then we will see the "greater works" that Jesus talked about.
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