City Life Starter

Written by Opeyemi Ojekunle

The Word

Jesus cautioned her, “Mary, don’t hold on to me now, for I haven’t yet ascended to God, my Father. And he’s not only my Father and God, but now he’s your Father and your God! Now go to my brothers and tell them what I’ve told you, that I am ascending to my Father—and your Father, to my God—and your God!” Then Mary Magdalene left to inform the disciples of her encounter with Jesus. “I have seen the Lord!” she told them. And she gave them his message.

Exegesis

Having seen that Jesus is no longer in the tomb, Mary Magdalene threw herself at His feet, and was going to embrace and kiss them, to show her affection and joy. Jesus cautioned her from doing this and not because he was unworthy of the favor. Was this because he was not to be conversed with, as before His death, His body being raised immortal and glorious? Or was it rather because Jesus had an errand for her that required haste? That Mary would indeed see Jesus again within the forty days before His ascension. But at the present time, He would have her stay no longer with Him.

It is touching that Jesus referred to His disciples – those who had all forsaken Him, except for John – as His brothers (brethren). He called them ‘servants’; he called them ‘friends’; but now that he has risen from the dead, he says, ‘my brethren.’” Because his death and resurrection has made them (us) one with Him, His resurrection birthed a new dispensation (Romans 8:17), Jesus is the son of God, by nature while we have been made children of God, by grace.

Application

We have been charged with the same joyful mission as Mary was, to go into the world and proclaim the good news of Christ. The joy we have in the Lord should not be clung to selfishly, but we are to share the good news with friends, family, and abroad. So that they could also experience the overflowing joy which comes in the morning.