“‘Don’t cling to me,’ Jesus told her, ‘since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
John 20:17
The Resistance to Change
Letting go is difficult, especially with those we love. Life-changing events can be quite unsettling. Parents often resist the change as children leave the security of home to find their place and purpose in society. Children of any age are saddened as their loved ones pass from life to death. We may face an uncertain tomorrow due to the loss of a job or from health issues. Yet in the midst of our difficulties, Jesus reminds us of what He reminded Mary and the rest of the disciples: I have to get going…and so do you!
Letting go is necessary for us to grow in our walk with Jesus. In the Scripture for today, we will see how Mary chose to let go of Jesus as she had known Him and responded to His instructions to go and tell.
In The Waiting and Wanting
Jesus had more work to do to complete His mission and ministry on earth. No longer was He the suffering servant traveling the dusty roads of Israel, teaching His disciples, and ministering to the needs of people. He was in His glorified body after dying on the cross and being resurrected from the dead. He had yet to ascend to God the Father in heaven. There were final lessons and instructions He needed to impart to His disciples.
Mary was desperate. Searching to find the body of the Savior and friend she had lost, she failed to recognize that the “gardener” was Jesus. When Jesus spoke her name, she immediately recognized Jesus and evidently reached out to Him, wanting to not let Him go again.
Time to Get Going
“Don’t cling to me…but go to my brothers and tell them….” They both needed to go: Jesus to complete His work on earth, and Mary to tell the disciples to spread the word that Jesus is alive!
The message is the same today. Jesus is alive! We are commanded to go and to tell. Introduce Jesus to people who might not know Him. Tell them how to meet Jesus. Tell them what Jesus has done for you. Be specific. Be able to answer the same questions Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) and “Do you understand what I have done for you?” (John 13:12). Then go.
Now What?
What areas of your life are you resistant or hesitant to forward motion? Is there anyone in your life who would benefit from seeing you walk in obedience to Jesus in the midst of difficulty and hardship? Ask the Lord for guidance as you discern what it means to remind yourself—and those around you, “I have to get going…and so do you!”
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