It is often the aspiration of a father to elevate his children beyond his own standing. Even parents lacking formal education do not wish for their children to remain illiterate, so they make great efforts to enrol them in reputable schools to ensure their literacy. Similarly, educated individuals consistently strive to provide their children with a higher social and educational standing, selecting the most esteemed educational institutions within their means. This commitment to securing the best education aims to equip their offspring with the necessary skills and opportunities to excel in life.
Looking at examples from monarchy, the heads of state invest considerable resources into grooming their children to comprehend their rightful place and effectively fulfil their royal duties, thus ensuring the longevity of their tradition. While the royal parents firmly believe that their own esteemed position is unparalleled, some of their offspring have occasionally chosen to embrace a life outside the realm of royalty, assimilating as regular citizens of their nation.
The Ground Reality
In light of the sacrifices made by parents to provide their children with opportunities for advancement, the prevailing economic conditions often present barriers to pursuing higher education or securing employment matching their qualifications. Faced with the looming spectre of unemployment, many young individuals are compelled to accept any job opportunity, regardless of their aptitude or the opportunity to apply their educational background. This unfortunate circumstance highlights the urgent need for measures that address the educational and employment challenges faced by our youth.
Every day, nearly 100,000 young South Asians – a large sports stadium of young people – enter the labour market, almost half of them not on track to find 21st century jobs. South Asia is at a critical juncture, with a limited window during which it can reap significant demographic dividends from its talented and capable youth. Get it right, and millions could be lifted out of poverty. Fail to do so, and economic growth will falter, youth despair will rise, and further talent will be lost to other regions.
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director
In the current state of affairs, the prevailing circumstances have had an impact on the vast array of ministerial opportunities entrusted to individuals by our Sovereign God. It is unfortunate that some individuals have misconstrued the intentions of God, believing that God has barricaded all avenues to coerce them into a life solely dedicated to religious service. Similarly, there exists a notion that a woman’s ability to bear children is obstructed by God as a means to compel her to commit her born child’s life solely to the ministry. People may take Hannah as their precedence to think in this perspective. Because the scripture says that the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her (1 Samuel 1:6). God did not close her womb to persuade her to make a vow, but to align with His timeline to induct Samuel into His glorious mission. God did not close the wombs of the mothers of many servants of God but they were born naturally, and later called by Him to minister.
However, it is imperative to recognize that Jesus did not call a fisherman who was thriving in his chosen profession. But Jesus asked him to abandon his successful career to embrace a new and elevated purpose. It is crucial to distinguish between those individuals who, due to economic hardships, are compelled to pursue alternative paths, and those who are guided by the Holy Spirit, and make conscious choices to leave their esteemed professions to serve as full-time workers of God.
For the latter group, their decision is rooted in a sincere calling, rather than a lack of available opportunities. By opting to serve God in this manner, they think that they have made a greater sacrifice in their lives. They tend to forget the sacrificial love of God who sent His Son amidst us. However, serving God should not be viewed as a mere profession, but rather as a way of life for every believer. The spreading of the Gospel is to be entrusted to everyone after they have the maturity to understand the love of God and to spread it.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
Doing Greater Things Than Jesus
God’s ultimate purpose is to guide all inhabitants of the earth into becoming His children, much like His Son. The aspiration to emulate Jesus is often regarded with scepticism and often goes unexplored by many.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:29 (NIV)
Unfortunately, there are individuals who are reluctant to embody the teachings of Jesus, yet are eager to perform miracles like Him. However, in their enthusiasm, they may misconstrue the works of the Holy Spirit, believing that they have been delegated with powers to perform wonders and miracles. Regrettably, their focus becomes centred on their own abilities, diverting their attention from the true source of these miraculous acts. Rather than prioritizing the spreading of God’s love to others, they showcase their miracles in an attempt to attract larger crowds.
Even the apostle Paul, who considered all personal gains as a loss when compared to his intimate relationship with God, was compelled to emphasize the signs and wonders that God performed among them while addressing the Church in Corinth. Paul reluctantly boasted to substantiate his apostolic standing as some notable preachers undermined the ministry of Paul and the church in Corinth.
I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
2 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)
In today’s context, many individuals in leadership positions within religious organizations strive to maintain a superior status by engaging in rigorous fasting and prayer. Their goal is to witness a greater number of miracles, healings, and deliverances within their ministries. Over time, they become susceptible to the temptation of measuring the presence of God solely by the occurrence of signs and wonders, often neglecting the genuine spiritual needs of their congregation. It is important to reflect upon the encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees and Sadducees, who sought a sign from heaven. Jesus, recognizing their misguided intentions, sternly rebuked them before departing from their midst.
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
Matthew 16:4 (NIV)
Jesus, in an effort to deter individuals seeking exceptional miracles, urged His disciples to fervently propagate the Gospel. In doing so, He spoke words of encouragement, a verse that has since become a poignant motto embraced by numerous devoted followers of God. Jesus, who reproached the Pharisees and Sadducees for their pursuit of signs, utilized this method proficiently to keep the faith of His disciples constant. Presently, many individuals consider miracles as a means to believe in Jesus.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12 (NIV)
Additionally, when considering the literal interpretation of this passage, individuals may strive to accomplish feats greater than our Lord Jesus. They hold in higher regard a solitary miracle performed by God in their ministry and long to do things greater than Jesus did. To entertain the notion of surpassing Jesus Himself is a display of either our ignorance or a vain endeavour to elevate ourselves above God. Have we not read about the fall of the angel who sought to exalt himself above God? This remains an eternal reminder of the consequences of such arrogance. Jesus’ act of salvation is an immense and priceless gift that has rescued us from eternal damnation. Although the intricacies of the works of Jesus may elude our comprehension, it is humbling to consider that we could never achieve anything greater than what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.
Letting Jesus To Do Greater Things
Jesus presents a splendid exhortation in the subsequent verse, urging His followers to approach Him with their requests. He reassures them that He is not only willing but also committed to fulfilling their desires in accordance with His promise (John 14:13). With this it is evident that for doing things greater than what he had done, we should approach Him only. Furthermore, Jesus underscores the significance of wholeheartedly embracing His commandments, emphasizing that genuine love for God is the bedrock upon which the faithful can truly embody His teachings. Such love enables believers to navigate their journey of faith, discerning the leading of the Holy Spirit amidst their prayers and supplications.
If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
John 14:15-17 (NIV)
Though it seems that Jesus has bestowed upon us the capacity to accomplish more than what He did, it is crucial to continuously rely on Him and earnestly seek His intervention in our lives. The truth of His second coming holds a unique significance, as Jesus Himself elucidated in the subsequent verses.
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Matthew 24:30-31 (NIV)
As we embrace the enlightenment derived from God’s teachings, let us not underestimate the resounding call that shall inevitably reach our ears. Moreover, let us ask God to expedite His Son’s forthcoming return, diligently fulfilling all that is ordained according to His unimaginable plan. No other aspiration can exceed our desire for God to manifest His will entirely. Therefore, let us not squander the fleeting moments of our existence by aspiring to accomplish greater feats than those accomplished by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.
Ezekiel 33:4-5 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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