John 20:17

John 20:17

**Meaning & Context** (200 words)

In John 20:17, Jesus directs Mary Magdalene to tell the disciples—“go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” He emphasizes a familial family metaphor: believers share the same Father and God as Jesus. The timing is critical: Jesus has not yet ascended, but his departure is imminent, signaling a new stage in the relationship between heaven and earth. Jesus’ instruction to avoid clinging—“Touch me not”—likely because his glorified, risen state demands a different approach to worship and encounter; the emphasis is on mission, proclamation, and transition rather than personal contact at that moment. The cultural context includes Jewish reverence for ritual purity and the sanctity of heavenly access, now redefined by Jesus’ unique role as the mediator who brings humanity into intimate kinship with God.

**Theological Significance** (150 words)

The verse foregrounds the universality of the Father–Child relationship in Christ. Jesus redefines religious belonging: not simply discipleship under a teacher but adoption into a family with God as Father. This signals key soteriological themes—new life through the risen Christ that makes believers heirs to divine kinship. The directive to carry the message to the disciples underlines mission as a core fruit of the resurrection. The moment also foreshadows the forthcoming Ascension, where Jesus’ work on earth transitions into heavenly intercession and sending the Spirit.

**Modern Application** (150 words)

We are invited into a family reality with God through Jesus. Reflect on your own sense of belonging: do you live as a child of God—loved, attended to, sent? Like Mary, we participate in bearing good news to others, especially when times are uncertain. The notion of “I ascend to my Father, and your Father” invites us to trust in an ongoing relationship with God, not a distant deity. Consider how you share the message of hope in everyday conversations—at work, school, or home—so others can experience kinship with God. The “do not cling” moment can remind us that faith often moves us from private awe to public proclamation. Embrace mission with humility, acknowledging Christ’s ongoing presence as you serve.

**Cross-References**:

- Matthew 28:18-20 (The mission and Fatherhood)

- Romans 8:15-16 (Adoption as God’s children)

- Galatians 4:6 (Spirit crying, Abba, Father)

- 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (Jesus’ resurrection proclamation)

- Ephesians 2:18 (Access to the Father through Christ)