n the midst of Mary Magdalene’s grief for the crucifixion of Jesus, followed by her assumption that the body of Jesus had been stolen, she received comfort and a new commission from Jesus. Earlier when she saw the stone was rolled away from the tomb, she ran to tell the disciples two of which ran to verify her story. They left her at the tomb alone for her to continue to grieve. She came face-to-face with Jesus assuming he was a gardener. Our focus today is on verse 17 in which Jesus said for her not to touch him. We are going to explore the possibilities of what Jesus meant when he said that.
It is apparent in Scripture that Mary Magdalena and Jesus had a close relationship. They were more than friends but less than lovers. They had no intimacy other than being closer than he was with others. It is likely that she reached out to him probably as she had done on other occasions to hold onto his feet or hands. All she wanted to do was greet him in a familiar fashion. Jesus needed to teach her a lesson that she could no longer see the Savior of the world in his body. She could no longer attach to him her caring. As close as they had been throughout his ministry, Mary needed to transition to a new view of Jesus not as an earthly rabbi but as the Son of God.
She already expressed a desire to find his body and transport it back to where it belonged. She needed to realize that no longer could she serve or minister to him for bodily needs such as food before his crucifixion. She had no ability or authority over him. Her support of Jesus required a new commission. Her life was transformed when he delivered her from demons. For a second time her life needed to transform into that of being an evangelist.
The reason Jesus gave to not touch him was because he had not yet ascended to his Father. There are many speculations by theologians to explain this reasoning. The most likely is found in Hebrews 9:11,12. When Jesus was talking to Mary, he was literally explaining to her what needed to happen next as part of his ministry to redeem mankind. He needed to shed his blood on the cross as the final perfect sacrifice for sin eliminating the need for animal sacrifices in the future. After his conversation with Mary and before he appeared in the room with the disciples, Jesus ascended to the Father. He entered into the heavenly holy place with his own blood that he shed.
In this short scene between Jesus and Mary we have been taught about the transition of Mary Magdelene’s ministry in behalf of Jesus. We have also been taught about the transition of the position Jesus held before the Heavenly Father.
Christian Writer 