Noli Me Tangere
“JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, TOUCH ME NOT; FOR I AM NOT YET ASCENDED TO MY FATHER: BUT GO TO MY BRETHREN, AND SAY UNTO THEM, I ASCEND UNTO MY FATHER, AND YOUR
FATHER; AND TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” — John xx. 17.
THE lesson is to a soul brought into the conscious presence of the Lord.
Oh, to be in that condition!
Mary Magdalene had wept because of her Lord’s absence, and longed to find him; and now she has her desire: he stands before her.
Oh, that we knew where we might find him! Job xxiii. 3.
Her conduct in holding him by the feet was natural, and it yet was forbidden by a higher wisdom than that of mortal men.
I. THE CAUTION. “Touch me not.”
1. We may blunder even in our closest fellowship,
and may need a prohibition. We have never greater need of caution than in our nearest approaches to God. Courtiers must be most careful in the throne-roorn.
2. We may carnalize the spiritual.
This has ever been a tendency with even the best of the saints; and it has misled many in (314)
whom affection has been stronger than intellect.
3. We may seek most passionately what is by no
means essential. The assurance of sense, by touch or otherwise:
when the assurance of faith is far better,
and quite sufficient. The detaining of one who has no intention of
going.
4. We may crave what were better further on.
When we are raised to eternal glory we shall be able to enjoy what now we must not ask.
5. We may be selfish in our enjoyments.
Staying to contemplate alone by ourselves, when we ought rather to bless others by publishing the blessed news. 2 Kings vii. 9.
II. THE MISSION. “Go to my brethren.”
She would have preferred to stay, but Jesus bids her go.
1. This was better for her. Contemplation alone
may degenerate into the sentimental, the
sensuous, the impracticable.
2. This was better for them. They heard the best
of news from the most trustworthy of informants.
3. This was unquestioningly done by this holy
woman. What she had seen she declared.
What she had heard she told.
Women are said to be communicative; and so
there was wisdom in the choice.
Women are affectionate, and so persuasive; and therefore fit to bear such a tender message as we have now to consider.
III. THE TITLE. “My brethren.”
Our Lord, of design, chose this title to comfort his sorrowing ones. They had so acted as almost to cease to be his followers, disciples, or friends: but brotherhood is an abiding relationship. They were —
1. His brethren, though he was about to ascend
to his throne. He was still a man, though no more to suffer
and die.
He still represented them as their risen Head. He was still one with them in all his objects
arid prospects.
2. His brethren, though they had forsaken him in
his shame. Relationship abiding, for brotherhood cannot
be broken.
Relationship owned more than ever; since
their sense of guilt made them afraid. Pie
was a true Joseph to them. Gen. xlv. 4. Relationship dwelt upon, that they might be
reassured.
Never let us omit the tender sweetnesses of the gospel, its courtesies, benedictions, and love-words, such as the “My brethren” of the text before us. If we leave out these precious words we shall mar the Master’s message of grace.
IV. THE TIDINGS.” I ascend unto my Father, and
your Father.”
This message was meant to arouse and comfort them.
1. By the news of his departure they are to be
aroused.
2. By the news of his ascension they are to be confirmed.
3. By his ascension to the common Father they
are to be comforted with the prospect of
coming there themselves. He is not going
into an unknown country, but to his home
and theirs. John xiv. 2.
4. By his ascent to God they are to be struck with
Bolernn awe, and brought the more reverently to look for his presence among them.
See how practical our Lord is, and how much he values the usefulness of his servants.
Have we not somewhat to tell?
Whether man or woman, tell the Lord’s brethren what the Lord hath told to thee.
TOUCHES.
It is this that men will labor after, and have labored for, even from the beginning of the world, — to be too much addicted to the things of sight and sense. They will worship Christ, but they must have a picture before them. They will adore Christ, but they must bring his body clown to a piece of bread. They must have a presence, and so, instead of raising their hearts to God and Christ in a heavenly manner, they pull down God and Christ to them. This the pride and base earthliness of man will do. And therefore saith Christ, “Touch me not” in that manner; it is not with me now as it was before. We must take heed of mean and base conceits of Christ. What saith Paul in 2 Cor. v. 16? “Henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” Christ after the flesh was of such a tribe and of such a stature, and had such gifts and qualities. What is that to me? Christ is now Lord of lords and King of kings. He is glorious in heav en, and so I conceive of him. — JRicJiard Sibils.
“Touch me not.” — By which we are to understand, not that the Lord would have objected to this token of her affection, for we find that soon after the Lord made Thomas put his hand into his side (verse 25); but this was not the moment for Mary to be so employed. The Lord had a message to send by her to his disciples. It was time that they, as well as herself, should receive the joyful tidings of his resurrection; therefore he would first send her to them.
Dr. Hawker.
To whom then dost thou send her? “Go to my brethren” Blessed Jesu! who are these? Were they not thy followers? Yea, were they not thy forsakers? Yet still thou stylest them thy brethren. O admirable humanity I 0 infinite mercy! How dost thou raise their titles with thyself? At first they were thy servants, and then thy disciples; a little before thy death they were thy friends; now, after thy resurrection, they were thy brethren. Thou that wert exalted infinitely higher from mortal to immortal, descendest so much lower to call them brethren who were before friends, disciples, servants.
Bishop Hall
While the going up of Elias may be compared to the flight of a bird which none can follow, the ascension of Christ is, as it were, a bridge between heaven and earth, laid down for all who are drawn to him by his earthly existence. — Uaitmqarten.