TOUCH ME NOT - After His resurrection, Jesus told Mary not to touch Him. But later He told Thomas to touch Him. Both Mary and Thomas needed more faith. Mary needed faith enough to let Jesus go. Thomas needed faith enough to believe without empirical proof. Mary needed to loosen her grip; Thomas needed to strengthen his. The resurrected Christ gave both of them the faith they needed.

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Touch Me Not

After His resurrection, Jesus told Mary not to touch Him. But later He told Thomas to touch Him

Mary is overwhelmed by the events of the morning, and as her grief turns to joy, she naturally embraces Jesus

Got Questions Ministries

Jesus tells Mary, “Touch Me not” (John 20:17, KJV).

Later, speaking to Thomas, He says, “Reach hither thy finger and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side” (verse 27).

The seeming incongruity of Jesus’ statements is resolved when we examine the language Jesus employed and consider the basic difference between the two situations.

In John 20:17, the word ἅπτομαι (haptomai hap'-tom-ahee) translated “touch” is a Greek word which means “to cling to, to lay hold of.”

This was not just a touch; it was a grip.

Obviously, when Mary recognized Jesus, she immediately clung to Him. 

Matthew 28:9 records the other women doing the same thing when they saw the resurrected Christ.

“And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.”

Mary’s reaction was motivated, possibly, by several things. One is simply her loving devotion to the Lord. 

Mary is overwhelmed by the events of the morning, and as her grief turns to joy, she naturally embraces Jesus.

Another motivation is Mary’s desire to restore the fellowship that death had broken.

She had lost Him once, and she was going to make sure she did not lose Him again - she wanted to keep Jesus with her always.

Also, Mary may have been thinking that this was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to return (John 14:3), in which case He would take her (and all believers) with Him to heaven.

However, it was not Jesus’ plan to stay in this world always, and His resurrection was not to be seen as His promised return.

That is why He tells Mary of the ascension. His plan was to ascend to the Father and then send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7; 20:22; Acts 2:1-4).

Fellowship with Jesus would continue, but it would be a spiritual communion, not a physical presence.

In loosening Mary’s hold on Him, Jesus was, in effect, saying this: “I know you desire to keep Me here, always present with you. I know you want everything to be just the same as before I died. But our relationship is about to change. I’m going to heaven, and you will have the Comforter in My place. You need to start walking by faith, Mary, not by sight.”

When Jesus spoke to Thomas, it was not to counter a misplaced desire but to rebuke a lack of faith.

Thomas had said he would not believe until he had touched the living body of Jesus (John 20:25).

Jesus, knowing all about Thomas’s declaration, offered His body as living proof of His resurrection. This was something He did on another occasion as well (Luke 24:39-40).

So, both Mary and Thomas needed more faith.

Mary needed faith enough to let Jesus go.

Thomas needed faith enough to believe without empirical proof.

Mary needed to loosen her grip; Thomas needed to strengthen his.

The resurrected Christ gave both of them the faith they needed.

If you are walking through the valley right now because of a death, an accident, a serious medical condition, a financial crisis, the loss of a job or any other tragedy, stand on God's immovable promises and let His words bring security to your soul.

Jesus removed the sting of death; it has been swallowed up in Christ's ultimate victory. Do not let death or the threat of death steal your hope.

Let God's promises guide you like signal lights through your dark valley. 

The future is bright on the other side.

Are you struggling with a big decision or wondering how your eternal future will play out?

Why not talk to the God of the universe and let Him work in your behalf?

He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).

Ask God to show you what to do. Pray the following prayer:

“Heavenly Father,

I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You. I receive Your free gift of salvation.

Please forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.

I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).

I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.

Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am born again, has eternal life, and I am now a child of God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I surrender my life to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.

Use me for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

If you have just put your trust in Jesus Christ, you have been born into God’s family.

As a spiritual baby, you need to grow by feeding on God’s Word – the Bible (1 Peter 2:2).

You must have a good modern translation Bible and begin prayerfully reading it. Start in the New Testament, such as the Gospel of John or Paul’s letters to the Ephesians.

As you read, ask two questions: “What are You, Lord?” “What do You want me to do?”

Also, you need to join a Christian fellowship where the Bible is taught and where God is truly worshiped.

God bless you as you begin your new life with Him!

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