Hold Fast to Hope: Jesus’ Message for the Doubting Heart

Jeffrey Perry   -   November 7, 2024

To be honest, this is one section of Scripture that has always confused me. Why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him? If we take a closer look at the text, we may be able to gain a clearer understanding of what is happening in this verse, as well as a more glorious comprehension of the gospel!

Earlier in John 20, we are given the account of Mary Magdalene and several other women early on Sunday morning, heading to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been placed. From the different parallel accounts, we can begin to piece together that when Mary Magdalene sees the stone rolled away, she immediately runs to tell Peter and John that someone has taken the body. However, the other women who were with her, continue to the tomb and find two angels who explain to them that Jesus has risen!

Consumed with joy, the three women (remember that Mary Magdalene is not with them) run to tell the disciples that Jesus has risen (Matt. 28:8), only to encounter Him on their way. The women fall and grab hold of Jesus’ feet in worship (Matt. 28:9) and are told to go tell the brethren that He is going to be coming to them.

So, where does this leave Mary?

It seems that after relaying this, seemingly terrible news, Mary goes back to the tomb with Peter and John, overcome by grief and tears. After conveying her fears to two angels, she comes in contact with her Savior!

Understand that Mary was in a different situation than the other women who had come to the tomb with her. Her grief had turned to fear and doubt at seeing the stone moved from the tomb, which was further magnified by Peter and John leaving her behind in their haste. Mary was alone, crippled with grief and doubt. But Jesus comes to her with a message of peace and hope! (John 20:16)

As Jesus reveals Himself to Mary, we are brought to the verse in question:

“Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God’” (John 20:17).

Now, to us, this sounds almost rude; but to Mary, this statement would have brought overwhelming comfort. As Strong’s Greek dictionary sets forth, ἅπτω (haptou) means “to fasten to,” “to adhere to,” or “to cling to.”

Warren Wiersbe points out that it is the account of Mary Magdalene in John 20 that emphasizes the love of Jesus for the doubting explaining that Jesus was, in essence, saying to Mary, “You don’t have to continue holding on to Me. I’m here, and I have a job for you” (Wiersbe, Be Transformed, 151-152). Jesus uses the phrase “I have not ascended to My Father” to let Mary know that He is alive, and that this is not the last time she will see Him. Further, He instructed her to tell the brethren that He had ascended to the Father.

At first glance, this may seem like a contradiction, but it is, in reality, a proclamation of the gospel for Mary and all those who would believe. We can see this when we read the end of verse 17, as Jesus says, “To My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.”

Jesus uses a phrase here that He had not used before. He tells Mary that she and the other believers now have the same standing with God that He has. Why? Because the work of redemption is complete! Paul would later tell the church at Corinth that Christ was made sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God. Jesus sent Mary to tell the others that this is exactly what had happened.

Believer, if you are crippled with doubt, know that Jesus isn’t waiting to scold you. In love, He wants you to see Him and the work that He accomplished in your place.

Look to Jesus, see the gospel for you, and go tell others what you have found!