17 Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene *came and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.

John 20:17-18 (NASB)

Flesh and bone

Jesus rose from the dead with a real body, though not the same as ours. He could be touched and he could eat (Luke 24:41–43). “This also shows that the resurrection body of Jesus was different, yet similar to His pre-resurrection body. It was definitely real and tangible, and Jesus was not a phantom.” (enduringword.com) Why did He ask her to stop holding onto Him? Because He was physically ascending to Heaven…but would be back.

Jesus sends Mary to the disciples as the first witness of Jesus’ resurrection. This is significant in that it elevated the role of women while at the same time indirectly confirming the authenticity of the writing since no fabricated story would choose a woman as the first witness.

Personal Lord

Remember from yesterday, Mary had just discovered Jesus is alive. These words of Jesus to her are telling. What strikes me is how personal our Lord is:

• He refers to “the Father” meaning His Father and Mary’s, the disciples (and ours). Then He follows that up with, “My father and your Father”.
• Jesus calls His disciples, “My brothers”.
• He sends a personal message of encouragement to the disciples…who had all betrayed Him.
• He calls the Father His God and their God. 

Gotta tell somebody!

The emotion from yesterday continues to well up inside Mary. I’m pretty sure the “came” in verse 18 means she actually ran and the “announced” was a jubilant cry of excitement and wonder. She couldn’t contain herself. I think of the woman at the well in John 4 who ran into town to proclaim what Jesus did. This song from Don Francisco is not Mary’s story but expresses the same jubilance and emotion.

RЯeflection

• Do we have this same excitement about our risen Lord? It is the best news we could ever tell someone. Maybe we’re more excited to tell them of a new restaurant or the wonderful vacation we just went on. All these are good ways to build relationships, but we have to get to the main good news!