IT has often been asked what Jesus meant when he said of the faithful follower, "Greater works than these shall he do." Is it indeed possible for any one to do greater works than Jesus did,—he who raised the dead, walked on the water, healed all manner of disease, fed the multitude with the few loaves and fishes, gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf? These works manifested power over human beliefs and mortal ills which could not be surpassed, yet we can well see that the standard of human thinking in that age would indicate that, as the thought of mankind advanced, greater works of every kind would be possible. At this point it is well to note that the comparison is not between Jesus as a spiritual worker and those who would follow his teachings, but between the works which were possible at that period and those which could be done when his teachings were better understood.
Popular religion at that time was largely a mixture of ceremony and superstition. Education was limited, information was mainly local, and opportunities for the general enlightenment of public opinion were so restricted, compared with those of today, as to be practically negligible. Inadequate ethical standards, bigotry, ignorance, and intolerance prevailed, while confidence in material methods, also public and private corruption, were the manifestations of a mental condition which was an effectual barrier to a general understanding of metaphysical or spiritual law.
We should, however, note that the one by whom the greater work is done in any line of human endeavor is not necessarily greater than his predecessor. Washington has been called "the father of his country," but in some respects subsequent presidents may have done greater service to this country than did he. This should not, however, be construed as a disparagement of Washington, or alter his unique position.
