The word “Greater” denotes relative position of a person, place, or thing to something or someone else. It gives us a comparison to provide us with perspective. It relates one to another. There is a “greater” and a “lesser”. The moon is the “lesser” light to the sun, the “greater” light. Jesus used this word to describe two Commandments relative to the rest of the commandments and statutes:
Mark 12:30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Here, Jesus makes an emphatic statement about Love. There is no greater aspect of the Law than to Love. You can focus on being lawful but unless you Love, you are missing the boat.
Most will focus their efforts in just about any other area but Love. Why? They don’t want to assume responsibility for dying to the flesh. Their ego wants to continue to control their every action. They want to exact punishment and enslave others while exalting themselves.
A smaller group will partially get the message. They will focus on “Loving THE LORD” with all their hearts. They study to show themselves approved of HIM. They receive a certain level of satisfaction in their daily prayer and study time. “Look Father, are You pleased that I focus on You?”
Then there is a small remnant. This is the group that fully understands the need to minister Love to their neighbor, the second of the two Great Commandments. They have already fully embrace the first Commandment. This second Commandment of Love demands that you die to the flesh. You must be willing to lay down your life for your brother. You must not be moved by his self-centeredness, lawlessness, and sin. You are to minister life to him just as Jesus did the same for all of mankind. Jesus made it abundantly clear that Love is to be the focus of the “Sons of GOD”. If your focus is elsewhere, you should reconsider your priorities. I didn’t establish this priority, Jesus did. Jesus didn’t stop there in His use of “greater”:
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
When you consider the earthly ministry of Jesus, it is hard for your mind to consider this reality of us being able to do “greater” works than Jesus. After all, HE is the Son of the Lord God Almighty. Do you dare believe these words? Are you willing to totally pour out “self” and die to the flesh in order to receive this promise? Or would you rather observe the coming Kingdom from a distance? Isn’t this the ultimate question? Do you want to be an observer or a participant? Gideon’s army was a type and shadow of this reality. A remnant of 300 was selected to overcome the Midianites. Most of the children of Israel observed the victory while the 301 (Gideon + 300) participated in the victory. By the way 301 refers to “death” of the flesh. It has been said that Jesus died on the cross at 3:01PM. Are you ready to die to the flesh? If so, empowerment to to “greater” works is at the door.
Most Christians are taught to Love THE LORD… and that is important. HE first Loved us and sent HIS Son so that we would not perish, but have everlasting life. Our relationship with HIM has been perfected by the Blood of the Lamb, the perfect sacrifice. Are you willing to lay down your life for those who you associate with and encounter on a daily basis? Once again, Jesus utilizes the word “greater” to emphasis a revelation of the Kingdom:
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
What better expression of Love than to lay down your life for others! You finally place “me, myself, and I” on the cross. Not my will but Yours, Father!
Jesus then stated in verse 14: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
You can divert your attention to other areas of study but unless you direct your attention to this revelation of Love, you may have determined your selection as an “observer” rather than a participant. Jesus was asked by His disciples who would be the greatest? The one who serves all of mankind.