June 22 My God, Your God

John 20:17-18 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
 
IT is a very intimate and good thing Mary experiences here. In God’s grace, he has revealed to Mary Magdalene that Jesus is alive, and she holds onto him with exuberant love and joy.
   Then Jesus urges her to release her hold on him. Do you wonder why? Do you think, as I do, that Jesus should have let Mary hold him as long as she wanted? What’s the hurry?
   Or perhaps Jesus is not in haste. Maybe he is assuring Mary. Remember the emotional trauma Mary has experienced for three days. To watch her beloved Lord suffer the cross and death would tear at her soul. Viewing his burial, discovering the empty tomb, darkness and questions would invade her soul. How could the Healer have suffered so? Had he saved her from demon possession only for her to experience this uncertain future?
   Then he’s there – in the garden! He’s speaking to her, calling her name. She hears. She sees. She believes. She embraces the Lord, not wanting him to go from her ever again.
   But Jesus speaks his eternal assurance to Mary. Holding him is good, but it’s not necessary. He will always be with her as he told his disciples: John 14:18-20 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
   In essence, he speaks the same words to Mary. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” All who believe in Jesus are his brother and sister under the Father’s care. All who believe in Jesus believe in God the Father, Son and Spirit. When we hold him in our heart, he holds us in his salvation.
   Jesus assures Mary she will never have to experience his death again. She will never need to mourn his going away. As the Lord live, she lives in him. Here is the truth his comfort to his disciples in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
   Is Jesus alive in you? He is with you each day and forever.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you are with me and I am with you forevermore. Amen.