John 20:29 CSB – Jesus said (to Thomas), “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
John 14:12 CSB – Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father.
The first verse has always stood out to me because it reveals something profound about Jesus’ perspective on faith across time. He makes a distinction between those who walked beside Him, saw His miracles with their own eyes, and believed, and those who would believe long after His earthly ministry had ended. In the second part of the verse, He offers a promise that reaches all the way to us, a promise that we are blessed precisely because we believe without ever having seen Him in the flesh. That recognition acknowledges the depth of faith required by later generations of believers and offers a gentle assurance that our faith is not lesser simply because it isn’t rooted in physical sight. In fact, it suggests that those who come to faith through testimony, Scripture, and the work of the Spirit possess a kind of faith that Jesus honors in a unique way.
Then Jesus tells us that anyone who believes in Him, whether by sight or by faith, will go on to do the works He did and even greater ones. A little later in the same chapter, He says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. In a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day, you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.” This is part of the promise of the Holy Spirit living within those who believe, a promise that ties our future work directly to the power and presence of God Himself. The greater works Jesus mentions are not accomplishments born from our own effort or talent. They’re the result of the Spirit of God moving through ordinary people who place their trust in Him.
Because we believe the Holy Spirit, the very essence of God, dwells within us to empower and guide us as we continue the work Jesus began. It’s remarkable to think that He chose us, with all our faults and limitations, to carry forward His mission in the world. He didn’t simply choose us but also equipped us, giving each of us specific talents, abilities, and callings so that we can make an impact in ways that align with His purpose. His plan to use imperfect people as instruments of His perfect will is something I can hardly comprehend, yet I’m deeply thankful for it. It reminds me that the work we do for His kingdom is never done alone and never done in our own strength.