John 14:10b-12 Proven not by words but by works of love

“The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 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.” John 14:10b-12

Background

Jesus continued to explain the perfect unity of the Father and the Son who worked hand-in-glove in bringing salvation to humanity. Eversince the fall of Adam, it has always been the Father who orchestrated the salvation of humanity. It is through Jesus’ works of power and love that revealed God to the world. Similarly, it is not by our claims as having known the way but by our works that others come to know God.

Observation

1.  “The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” The disciples did not understand how seeing Jesus would be equivalent to seeing the Father. The words spoken by Jesus were the very words of the Father, and so were the works that He did. It is through Jesus that God can be seen, touched, heard; and through Him the Father became accessible and tangible to humanity.

The disciples were determined to see the Father because they were used to judge by appearance. In the back of their mind, they may question: would the Father wash my feet? Jesus explained that the essence of God is not found in His appearance but through the works of love, wisdom and power: “… believe because of the works themselves.” For God, it was never about appearance but the heart revealed through His works. In fact, when Moses asked God to reveal Himself to him, God passed him by while declaring His attributes: “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” (Exodus 34:6). God told Samuel when he was looking for a king to not look at the appearance but at the heart. Therefore, it is through Jesus’ love, wisdom and power that we encounter the Father’ heart.

2.  Then Jesus added, “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.” What Jesus meant is: if they would believe that God (or the attributes of God) can be revealed through Jesus (who is a man), God can also be revealed through ordinary men like the disciples. By “greater works” Jesus implied His impending return to God and by that, more works would have to be done through the church.

Truth

1.  Only a transformed life could influence another life. God is not found in appearances of knowledge, or a form of godliness but true compassion, purity and power: Jesus said, “believe because of the works…” People cannot be changed by a vision or by peer pressure but by the love and righteousness of the believer.

2.  The world can see the face of God through anyone who is filled by His Spirit. Because God is Spirit, His essense is manifested not in a physical appearance but in His attributes of love, wisdom and power. Hence, God can display His attributes through anyone regardless of their physical appearances. Any man who is filled with His Spirit, who display God’s attributes can be the face of God to the world. As Jesus is kind, forgiving, patient, peaceable, long-suffering, confident and pure, so are those who are filled with His Spirit. Therefore, let the world see Jesus through our temperament and our works. As Jesus raised the dead, as He multiplied the bread, as He comfort the broken hearted, as He influenced society; we can do likewise if we yield ourselves fully to His Spirit. Therefore, let the world see Jesus through our us.

Application

1.  When I read the Word, I do not focus on acquiring knowledge but on doing the works of love. Through the Word and the grace of God, I transform my mindset to display the works of love; I will do all things for the growth of another; My private life will be coherent with my public image; I work and serve out of grace even though my work is not appreciated; I return evil not with evil but with good.

2.  I endeavor to speak and do all things from the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By starting the day in reading the Word and by prayer, I fill my heart with the Father’s love and plans. And the world around me shall know the Father’s heart through my works.

Dear Lord, help me understand more and more of Your love and Your salvation plans for the world. Put Your heart within me so that I may be filled with Your passion for this suffering world. Use me to heal the sick and to comfort the broken hearted. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.