Necessary Instruction on Easter Morning

An apparent rejection

After His resurrection the Lord Jesus appeared to His grieving disciples. The first one was Mary. She was the first witness of Christ’s resurrection. A woman had anointed Him for His burial, and now a woman was the first to whom Christ revealed Himself in His resurrection glory. As the great Physician He knew where the greatest need was. It must have been unforgettable when the Lord Jesus addressed her while she was standing before the empty sepulcher, “Mary.” One word was enough for her, and “She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” Her heart was filled with heavenly joy; she wanted to embrace Him and to never let Him go. It was then that the Lord Jesus said unto her, “Touch Me not.” This seemed to be a disappointing and harsh, cold answer, but that is a mistaken idea, for, in reality, His reply was full of precious instruction and blessed comfort. Indeed, it seemed as if the Lord Jesus’ dealings with Mary were different from the others. We read in Matthew 28 of the women returning from the grave, “And they came and held Him by the feet.” Of Thomas we read that the Lord even spoke to him, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side.” However, Mary Magdalene was forbidden even to touch Him.

This word “touch,” however, has a very strong meaning—to hold on to Him as if she would never let Him go. It was as with a mother whose child escapes from a great danger and she receives him back and presses him to her heart. She has her child back! Now Mary Magdalene had her Saviour back. Oh, had He not performed miracles of love in her life? He had delivered her from the bondage of the power of sin and made her a true follower of Him. That was His incomprehensible goodness and grace shown to a wretched sinner.

Mary Magdalene had also heard His wonderful instruction. She had seen His marvelous works. She was very much devoted to His service; she loved Him so firmly—was it not understandable that she wanted to show this? She meant that after the sad days that lay behind her, she would return to the blessed past when she could be near to Him and enjoy His company.

This is not strange to God’s children. They may enjoy times of His fellowship, His visits, and His comforting, promising instruction. They feel the tokens of His gracious deeds, of His love and goodness. There is not only gladness but also hope in their heart. They live upon their feelings instead of by faith only. If the Lord would do what they desire, it would never change but only increase. Mary wanted Jesus to stay with her and then to forget those horrible experiences and events of Good Friday and the following days. Her faith was imperfect. She was ignorant of the necessity of His exaltation, of the progress of His work. She would need an exalted King at the right hand of God, a High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. What He had merited for her would also have to be applied. There was more to be done for Mary and all Christ’s disciples. Naomi once said to Ruth, “For the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.”

Necessary instruction

Christ was going to present Himself unto the Father as the first fruits from the dead and enter into the glory that He had with the Father before the world was. There is a necessary progress in the work of the Lord. Oh, how blind God’s children often are for that. Mary had learned something of the name Immanuel, God with us, and what a blessing that is. What a wonder that a holy and righteous God and a black, vile, wretched sinner are brought together. The breach between God and man is taken away by the finished work of Christ. However, we did not fall out of communion with the Lord Jesus but with a Triune God. When the Lord begins His work by His Spirit in the heart, the emptiness, the missing of God, will be experienced. This missing cannot be taken away by the wonderful experience that Christ is alive as the Greater Joseph. He is the Way back to the Father but, oh, Mary, then you cannot keep Him here. He will go to the Father to give back to prodigal sons and daughters what they have lost in their fall. It was necessary that Mary receive further instruction. If the Lord Jesus would have left up to her what to do, He would have stayed with her. However, the Servant of the Father will continue His work in heaven.

A wonderful message

Mary received a commission: “But go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” She would be the messenger of good tidings, especially the address of the message, “My brethren.” The holy Son of God calls His redeemed Church “My brethren” or sisters. How could that be? That is because His Father is also their Father. Mary had called Him Rabboni, that is, “my Master”; however, He is more. He restored her in the position she had lost, that is, child of His Father.

No, it is true, He did not say to “our Father” but instead “to My Father, and your Father.” Christ is the only begotten Son; He is co-essential with the Father and the Holy Spirit. True believers are adopted children. The Lord Jesus would go to bring His Church home. In His resurrection the foundation of their being children is confirmed. They are all justified. They now “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” but Christ is not only given for their justification; they will also be brought back unto the Father. What an eternal wonder that is. Lost prodigal sons and daughters who were fallen away from God and had become His enemies are not only reconciled to Him but are called His children. The work of Christ will continue until His bride is where He is and where He has prepared a place for her. That is why He cannot be stopped in His work. Mary, it is a word of comfort. He will finish that which He has undertaken for you.

Oh, Church of God, perhaps you wonder how can that ever be for you. It is a blessing if you have learned to know a little of the preciousness of the Saviour, if He has become to you altogether lovely, if you have learned to know not only the necessity but also the suitableness and willingness of the Lord Jesus to redeem wretched ones like you. Perhaps you say, yes, I have seen that it is possible for me. May it then be your cry to know Him, not only as that great Prophet to teach sinners in the way but also to be led to the knowledge of Him as a Surety who paid your debts. If you do not know how you can ever be brought back into communion with a triune God, the Holy Spirit will teach you the mystery that with man these things may appear to be impossible, but all things are possible with God. Christ, indeed, is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Oh, seek then His instruction and say with Ruth, “Spread therefore Thy skirt over thine handmaid; for Thou art a near Kinsman.” He will not forsake the work of His own hands. In His work, He will receive the honor and will be glorified.

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