Thoughts on the Gospel of John (207) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

She turned and said to Him, Rabboni! (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
John 20:16–18

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (207)
When Mary Magdalene, desperate and weeping, searches for the body of Jesus, the Lord Himself comes to her and says “Mary!” With this, He makes Himself known to her; this voice she knows. What a joy for her: her beloved Master is standing before her – He is risen! Obviously, she immediately goes towards Him to show Him honour, as usual, by a physical greeting.

But the Lord prevents her from touching Him. He makes it clear to her that with His death and resurrection a new situation has arisen: Jesus is just as truly human after His resurrection as before – He is God and man in one person. But can we still have a relationship with Him today, now that He has returned to His Father in heaven? Yes, we can! It is even more intimate than it was during His life on earth.

The Lord’s words to Mary show this. For the first time, the Lord calls His disciples “My brethren”. Through His death and resurrection, the believers have been redeemed, and connected with this redemption is a new kind of position and relationship.

However, believers and their Lord are not on the same level. The Lord says: “My Father and your Father”, not: “our Father”. But the fact that His relationship with God the Father is now also our relationship with Him makes us marvel. What an indescribable blessing has come out of the death and resurrection of Jesus!

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Isaiah 28:1-29 · Hebrews 1:1-6