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that no man； of himself； ever had done； or ever could do。 Christ's work testified to His divinity。 Through Him the Father had been revealed。
If the disciples believed this vital connection between the Father and the Son； their faith would not forsake them when they saw Christ's suffering and death to save a perishing world。 Christ was seeking to lead them from their low condition of faith to the experience they might receive if they truly realized what He was；God in human flesh。 He desired them to see that their faith must lead up to God； and be anchored there。 How earnestly and perseveringly our compassionate Saviour sought to prepare His disciples for the storm of temptation that was soon to beat upon them。 He would have them hid with Him in God。
As Christ was speaking these words； the glory of God was shining from His countenance； and all present felt a sacred awe as they listened with rapt attention to His words。 Their hearts were more decidedly drawn to Him； and as they were drawn to Christ in greater love； they were drawn to one another。 They felt that heaven was very near； and that the words to which they listened were a message to them from their heavenly Father。
〃Verily； verily； I say unto you；〃 Christ continued； 〃He that believeth on Me； the works that I do shall he do also。〃 The Saviour was deeply anxious for His disciples to understand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity。 He came to the world to display the glory of God； that man might be uplifted by its restoring power。 God was manifested in Him that He might be manifested in them。 Jesus revealed no qualities； and exercised no powers； that men may not have through faith in Him。 His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess； if they will be in subjection to God as He was。
〃And greater works than these shall he do； because I go unto My Father。〃 By this Christ did not mean that the disciples' work would be of a more exalted character than His； but that it would have greater extent。 He did not refer merely to miracle working； but to all that would take place under the working of the Holy Spirit。
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After the Lord's ascension； the disciples realized the fulfillment of His promise。 The scenes of the crucifixion； resurrection； and ascension of Christ were a living reality to them。 They saw that the prophecies had been literally fulfilled。 They searched the Scriptures； and accepted their teaching with a faith and assurance unknown before。 They knew that the divine Teacher was all that He had claimed to be。 As they told their experience； and exalted the love of God； men's hearts were melted and subdued； and multitudes believed on Jesus。
The Saviour's promise to His disciples is a promise to His church to the end of time。 God did not design that His wonderful plan to redeem men should achieve only insignificant results。 All who will go to work； trusting not in what they themselves can do； but in what God can do for and through them； will certainly realize the fulfillment of His promise。 〃Greater works than these shall ye do；〃 He declares； 〃because I go unto My Father。〃
As yet the disciples were unacquainted with the Saviour's unlimited resources and power。 He said to them； 〃Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name。〃 John 16：24。 He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name。 He would be present before the Father to make request for them。 The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul's behalf。 Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven。 It may not be fluently expressed； but if the heart is in it； it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers； and He will present it to the Father without one awkward； stammering word； beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection。
The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction； but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer。 There is no one living who has any power that he has not received from God； and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being。 〃Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name；〃 said Jesus； 〃that will I do； that the Father may be glorified in the Son。 If ye shall ask anything in My name； I will do it。〃
〃In My name；〃 Christ bade His disciples pray。 In Christ's name His followers are to stand before God。 Through the value of the sacrifice made for them； they are of value in the Lord's sight。 Because of the imputed righteousness of Christ they are accounted precious。 For Christ's sake the Lord pardons those that fear Him。 He does not see in them the vileness of the sinner。 He recognizes in them the likeness of His Son； in whom they believe。
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The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves。 He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them。 God wanted them； else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them。 He has a use for them； and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him； that they may glorify His name。 They may expect large things if they have faith in His promises。
But to pray in Christ's name means much。 It means that we are to accept His character； manifest His spirit； and work His works。 The Saviour's promise is given on condition。 〃If ye love Me；〃 He says； 〃keep My commandments。〃 He saves men； not in sin； but from sin； and those who love Him will show their love by obedience。
All true obedience comes from the heart。 It was heart work with Christ。 And if we consent； He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims； so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will； that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses。 The will； refined and sanctified； will find its highest delight in doing His service。 When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him； our life will be a life of continual obedience。 Through an appreciation of the character of Christ； through communion with God； sin will become hateful to us。
As Christ lived the law in humanity； so we may do if we will take hold of the Strong for strength。 But we are not to place the responsibility of our duty upon others； and wait for them to tell us what to do。 We cannot depend for counsel upon humanity。 The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else。 If we come to Him in faith； He will speak His mysteries to us personally。 Our hearts will often burn within us as One draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch。 Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God； will know； after presenting their case before Him； just what course to pursue。 And they will receive not only wisdom； but strength。 Power for obedience； for service； will be imparted to them； as Christ has promised。 Whatever was given to Christthe 〃all things〃 to supply the need of fallen menwas given to Him as the head and representative of humanity。 And 〃whatsoever we ask； we receive of Him； because we keep His commandments； and do those things that are pleasing in His sight。〃 1 John 3：22。
Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim； Christ sought for the most essential and complete gift to bestow upon His followers； a gift that
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would bring within their reach the boundless resources of grace。 〃I will pray the Father；〃 He said； 〃and He shall give you another Comforter； that He may abide with you forever； even the Spirit of truth； whom the world cannot receive； because it seeth Him not； neither knoweth Him： but ye know Him； for He dwelleth with you； and shall be in you。 I will not leave you orphans： I will come to you。〃 John 14：16…18； margin。
Before this the Spirit had been in the world； from the very beginning of the work of redemption He had been moving upon men's hearts。 But while Christ was on earth； the disciples had desired no other helper。 Not until they were deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit； and then He would come。
The Holy Spirit is Christ's representative； but divested of the personality of humanity； and independent thereof。 Cumbered with humanity； Christ could not be in every place personally。 Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father； and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth。 No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ。 By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all。 In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high。
〃He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father； and I will love him； and will manifest Myself to him。〃 Jesus read the future of His disciples。 He saw one brought to the scaffold； one to the cross； one to exile among the lonely rocks of the sea； others to persecution and death。 He encouraged them with the promise that in every trial He would be with them。 That promise has lost none of its force。 The Lord knows all about His faithful servants who for His sake are lying in prison or who are banished to lonely islands。 He comforts them with