John 20:17

“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

Context:Jesus had just risen from the dead, and Mary Magdalene, who had come to the tomb early in the morning, found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She was distraught and weeping until Jesus appeared to her.

“Touch me not”:When Jesus says, “Touch me not,” He is not prohibiting physical contact forever. Instead, it implies that Mary should not hold on to Him or cling to Him in that particular moment. Jesus had a specific reason for asking her not to touch Him at that time.

The reason for not touching Jesus:Jesus explains that He has not yet ascended to the Father. This indicates that something important and transformative was going to take place. The resurrection was not just a return to life but a victory over death and the initiation of a new phase.

Jesus’ ascension:Jesus tells Mary to go and inform His disciples, “my brethren,” that He is ascending to His Father and their Father, His God and their God. This statement emphasizes the relationship between Jesus and His followers. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has paved the way for a restored relationship between humanity and God, where believers can call God their Father and have a personal connection with Him.

The significance for believers:Jesus’ words in this verse reveal the fulfillment of His mission on earth. His death and resurrection accomplished salvation for mankind, opening the way for reconciliation with God. The disciples, and all believers thereafter, would experience a new relationship with God as their Father, made possible through Jesus’ redemptive work.

Application:This verse reminds us of the profound significance of Jesus’ resurrection. It is a reminder of the hope and assurance we have as believers. It also highlights the importance of sharing the good news of the resurrection and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice with others.

• In summary:John 20:17 captures the encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene after His resurrection. It emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ ascension to the Father and highlights the restored relationship between believers and God. This verse holds a powerful message of hope, redemption, and the personal connection believers have with God through Jesus Christ.