How does John 20:17 connect to Jesus' earlier teachings in John 14? Setting the Scene John 20:17: “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’ ” Promises in the Upper Room (John 14) • John 14:2–3 — “I am going there to prepare a place for you… I will come back and welcome you.” • John 14:6 — “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” • John 14:12 — “…because I am going to the Father.” • John 14:16–18 — “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate… I will not leave you as orphans.” • John 14:20 — “You will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” • John 14:27–28 — “Peace I leave with you… If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father.” Fulfillment in the Garden (John 20:17) • The very journey He promised—“going to the Father”—is now under way: “I am ascending.” • His earlier words about rejoicing (14:28) explain the gentle rebuke: Mary must release Him so that the greater joy of His ascension can unfold. • “My Father and your Father” echoes 14:20; the disciples share His relationship with the Father. • “My God and your God” reinforces the access promised in 14:6—through His work, the Father truly becomes theirs. Shared Sonship and Family Language • John 14:18 — “No orphans”: the resurrection and ascension secure full family status. • Hebrews 2:11, Romans 8:15 — Believers are called brothers and receive the Spirit of adoption. • By saying “My brothers,” Jesus confirms the new family bond He foretold. Purpose of the Ascension • John 14:12 — Greater works come “because I am going to the Father”; the ascension unleashes that promise (cf. Acts 1:9, 2:33). • John 14:16 — The Advocate is sent after He departs; John 20:22 (“He breathed on them…”) begins that transition. • Ephesians 1:20 — The ascended Christ is exalted, securing every spiritual blessing for His people. Living Out the Connection • Rejoice rather than cling: His physical departure means spiritual nearness through the Spirit. • Embrace your adopted status; speak of God as “Father” with the confidence Jesus gives. • Serve in the power of the “greater works” era, trusting the risen, ascended Lord who keeps every word He spoke in John 14. |
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