Living in the Garden of Grace: God’s Miracle Workers
Jesus promised His followers that they would do the works He did—and even greater ones. What an extraordinary promise! This bold declaration in John 14:12 is not just about miraculous physical healing or extraordinary acts, but about the transformative power of grace, brought to life through the Holy Spirit.
Living in Dependence: The Key to Greater Works
The word Jesus uses for “believeth” in John 14:12 is written in the Greek tense of continual action. This doesn’t refer to a one-time moment of faith but to an ongoing, daily dependence on Him. To live this way is to live by grace, relying on the indwelling Spirit rather than self-effort.
Jesus performed mighty works through His absolute reliance on the Father. He now calls us to do the same, but with an even greater advantage: the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus explains in John 16:7:
“It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
The Spirit’s empowering presence is the secret to these “greater works.”
What Are These Greater Works?
While Jesus’ earthly miracles often involved physical restoration—healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and raising the dead—He points us to an even greater work: the spiritual transformation of lives.
Spiritual Resurrection: Through the proclamation of the Gospel, we can see those who are spiritually dead raised to new life in Christ.
Healing Spiritual Wounds: Believers who are spiritually deaf, blind, or crippled by sin can experience restoration when they grasp the truth of their crucifixion, burial, and resurrection with Christ.
Transformation Through Words: Just as Jesus performed many of His miracles by His spoken word, we too can participate in miraculous works by proclaiming God’s truth to those who respond in faith.
Paul echoes this reality in 2 Corinthians 5:20:
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
Miracles of Grace
The greatest miracles are not confined to the physical realm but are found in the transforming work of grace. When we share the truth of Christ with others, the Spirit uses those words to change hearts, renew minds, and heal spiritual wounds. This is nothing short of miraculous!
Reflect and Respond
Are you living in daily dependence on the Holy Spirit?
How can you speak words of life and grace to those around you?
Pray This
“Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of participating in Your miraculous work of grace. May I continually live in dependence on You, allowing Your Spirit to work through me to bring life, healing, and transformation to others. Use my words to point to the power of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and may all glory go to You. Amen.”
A Final Thought
As Kuykendall reminds us, the work of grace is greater than we often imagine. Through the Spirit’s power, we are called to share the Gospel and minister God’s truth, watching as He brings the spiritually dead to life and heals wounded hearts. These are the greater works to which Jesus calls us—a miraculous life lived under grace.