When Jesus met Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, we read “Jesus replied, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God”” (John 20:17 NET). I am sure Mary was about to give Jesus a big ol’ hug and that’s what prompted Jesus to say not to touch Him. I don’t understand, however, the reason Jesus gave for not touching him. Thoughts? -- C.G.
Jesus will be present in her life again, tangibly, but not as before. Once his work is finished — as it nears is — he will live in her heart, by the Spirit, as he explained in John 14. My take is that he pushes her away not for reasons of propriety, but for reasons of theology.
