Greater works than his?!?

     Our gospel lesson for Sunday includes the well known verse, "[Jesus said] I am the way, the truth, and the life."  John 14.1-14 is about so much more than just the uniqueness of Jesus as our way for salvation.  This text is rich with images like Jesus preparing a place for us in God's house, or like Jesus as the one who reveals God the father to us.  The part that amazes me is when Jesus says, "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father."  (Now we have to remember that in John's gospel this conversation takes place on Jesus' last night with his disciples.  He has not yet been crucified or resurrected, which is why he said, "I am going to the Father.")   

Greater works than these?!?

     Jesus has done some amazing works up to this point.  He changed vast amounts of water into fine wine, told complete strangers their life story, raised dead people to life, healed the blind and sick, fed multitudes with a meager amount of food, shared the good news that he has come to save the world, and many other works.  And yet, Jesus says, we will do even greater works than these if we believe in him.
     It used to be that I didn't believe that statement.  Reality more often tells us the opposite, but then I got to thinking.  We heal people, too.  If it weren't for modern medicine, I probably would have died in my youth from severe asthma.  Walking into the Mayo clinic, is like walking into a building of miracles as chemotherapy, surgeries, and other treatments make people physically well every day.  We feed, clothe, educate, and advocate for people - as a congregation part of our money goes to the synod, and from the synod we are blessed to be able to give $1.5 million to our national church organization which funds many ministries (click here to read stories about our faith in action).  Locally at St. John, we do amazing works each and every day.  All of you in your daily lives live out your faith, sharing the good news about Jesus with others, and as a result we have experienced some amazing growth in the last few months.  We are able to teach our children about Jesus and his love for us, we are able to be in the community serving and showing compassion to others.
     Yes, I am convinced that Jesus empowers us to do greater works than these, with the help of the Holy Spirit, of course.  And yet, even though I have seen it time and time again, it still remains a mystery.  Jesus loves us and trusts us enough to carry on his mission?  We really can do greater works than his?!?