“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” [John 20.17]
It was indeed special that Jesus instructed Mary to tell the disciples (notice He actually said, "my brothers...") to meet Him in Galilee. But what was so important in Jesus saying He was ascending to "my Father and your Father,to My God and your God."?
The thing is, until this time, the disciples had not really understood their family relationship with God as Father. Everything Jesus had taught and discussed in regard to God baffled the disciples because of the way Jesus referred to Him as Father. It baffled them even more when Jesus instructed them to pray to God as "Our Father". This was all very new teaching. This was all very dangerous teaching - it got Jesus crucified!
The instruction above is even more poignant when considered in the light of Jesus' prayer recorded in John 17 where Jesus prayed specifically for His disciples to be one with Him and the Father. So for Jesus to give Mary this specific instruction for the disciples was like saying, "I have sealed the deal! My Father God is now Your Father God!"
Jesus death completed a spiritual covenant transaction that made it possible for believers to become children of God. God is the King, He has a Kingdom, the Kingdom is about people, and believers have been brought into the family business of people.
It is an amazing thing. The Kingdom is a family business.
Father, thank You that Jesus made the way for me to call You "Father". Help me to understand and carry out the family business You have brought me in to.
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