Read John 20:16-18. Circle the word(s) that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending 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.
Reflections on the Word.
“Letting go” is difficult. There are things that we cherished in this life that we don’t want taken from us. It may be the repossession of our collections, car, or home. It may be the amputation of an arm or leg. It may even be waving good-bye as our children leave for college or a job relocation. It is hard for us to let go of what is most precious to us.
When Mary heard Jesus speak her name, she knew who it was immediately. She turned and most likely fell at his feet and clung onto Him. She wasn’t going to let Him go. Wherever He went, she was going to be there. He was her teacher.
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.” While salvation was accomplished at the Cross and He fulfilled the will of God to die on the cross for the payment of our sin, His work was not finished. He had to present Himself to the Father as the Lamb of God.
Why did Jesus have to return to the Father? Was it so the Father could forgive our sins? I think so. Was it to send the Holy Spirit? Yes. Jesus promised that He will send the Spirit. Was it so Jesus could intercede for us? Yes. Was it so Jesus could sit down at the right hand of the Father as Savior and King? Absolutely. Even now, Jesus is waiting on the Father to send him back to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
When it is time for us to die, will our loved one’s cling onto us, saying, “Don’t Go!”? Few of us will say, “Go to the Lord. It’s time for you to go home.” If we find ourselves on our deathbed and we are able to say, “Please, don’t hold onto me. It’s time for me to be with my Heavenly Father.”, our loved ones will be comforted. May our few days or hours left on earth be filled with us comforting others and others comforting us. Our destiny is heaven so let us free our loved ones and release them to the Lord who is waiting for them.
-Kingston