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hi pasor john,<\/span><\/p>\n I’ve been thinking again and have a question.\u00a0 jesus told mary, in john 20:17 not to touch him for he had not yet ascended.\u00a0 However, in matthew 28:9,\u00a0 jesus appeared to both marys, and they fell at his feet holding his feet worshiping him.\u00a0 why didnt jesus tell them not to touch him.\u00a0 in matthew account of what happened.<\/span><\/p>\n thanks rob s. Hi Rob:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n That is a good question, one that we all ponder over, once we understand that the sacrifice of Christ took place in heaven after his ascension, not on earth on the cross.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n There is no clear-cut answer, either.\u00a0 This is how the relevant events of that resurrection morning seemed to have played out:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n As Matthew says, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, as well as a woman named Salome (Mark 16:1), and Joannah and other women (Luke 24:10), came together to Jesus’ tomb early the morning that Jesus rose from the dead.\u00a0 When an angel appeared to them and commanded them to go tell the disciples that Jesus had risen, the women left but met Jesus in the way.\u00a0 When he greeted them, they all fell down and held his feet and worshiped him.\u00a0 John’s account indicates that Mary Magdalene later returned to the tomb with the disciples who came to see if it was a true report the women had brought them.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n That is when we find Mary alone, weeping at the tomb of her beloved Jesus.\u00a0 When he revealed himself to he, she came toward him, and that is when Jesus told her not to touch him.\u00a0 The reason he gave to Mary for this (that he had not yet ascended) does not explain why he allowed others at other times to touch him, including Mary herself and the women on their way to tell the disciples, and Thomas, whom Jesus invited to put his fingers into his wounded side (Jn. 20:27).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Jesus’ reason for allowing so many to touch him after his resurrection, but not Mary at that particular moment at the tomb, is one of those questions, Rob, that I just have to leave on my mental shelf until God grants me understanding.\u00a0 I have no answer.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n At any rate, I have said many times before that I will have succeeded as a teacher when and if I bring those who hear me to the point where they have the same questions I have.\u00a0 It sounds as if, so far, I am doing a pretty good job with you.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
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