Mid-Week Musings

April 17, 2024

Suggested Reading: John 20:11-18

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

In the sermon on Sunday morning, April 14, we thought about Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus. During that encounter, Jesus said to her,
“Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (v. 17, NRSV)

Part of Jesus’ command to Mary was to not hold on to Him, or to not cling to Him. It seems she didn’t want to let Him go, but Jesus had more to do! Another part of His command to her was to tell His brothers that He was “ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Even though Jesus’ victory over sin and death had been accomplished, the coming of the Holy Spirit on all believers yet depended on Jesus going or ascending to the Father. In John 16:7 Jesus says,
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (NRSV)

Now that Jesus is ascended, He still has more to do! Something that He’s doing should thrill believers. He is interceding and praying for us! In Romans 8:34 the Bible say,
Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. (NRSV)

If while Jesus was on earth it was important for Him to pray to His heavenly Father, and if Jesus

yet prays for those who believe in Him, how much more important should it be for those who

believe in Him to also pray?

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: Thank Jesus that He prays for believers.

(On Sunday morning, April 21, 2024, we’ll continue a series of sermons titled Encounters with the Risen Jesus. The next encounter we’ll consider is the one between Jesus and His disciples. The Scripture lesson will be from John 20:19-29.)