Because his ascent to the Father has not happened yet

Because she must wait until the others arrive first

Because he has finished speaking and will not meet her again

Because the message is meant to stay private

Stay close and keep holding on until the moment feels finished

Keep the encounter private so it stays personal

Let go of the grip and go tell his brothers what Jesus said

Wait for a clearer miracle before saying anything

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I need your mercy. I turn from my sin and from trying to save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I open my life to you. Bring me into the family of God and lead me in your way. Amen.

Receive the Risen Lord

Lord, revive your Church so we do not cling to comfort or to spiritual moments, but listen for your voice and go where you send us. Make us a people who speak with courage to our brothers and sisters, and who live as those who share one Father and one God. Stir us to obedience, tenderness, and bold witness, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Awaken Your Church to Obey and Witness

Father, thank you that Jesus names you as his Father and ours, and his God and ours. Thank you that he does not leave us at a distance, but welcomes us into family and relationship. Fill me with gratitude for this shared belonging, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for Shared Belonging

Name one place where you are holding tightly to Jesus, a person, or a spiritual experience. Ask God for the grace to release control, hear Jesus clearly, and take the next step of obedience he gives you.

Pray About What You Are Holding

Pray for: believers who need courage to obey before they fully understand; people who are stuck clinging to the past; a church that speaks hope instead of keeping good news private; conversations that carry Jesus' life to others.

For Those Jesus Sends

Father, where I am clinging to what feels safe, help me release my grip and obey the word of Jesus. Give me a ready heart to go to the people you place before me and to speak faithfully what you have shown me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Release and Go

λέγει{LE-yee###LEH-yee###(He) says} ⸀αὐτῇ{af-TEE###ahf-TEE###to her} Ἰησοῦς·{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} Μή{MEE###MEE###Do not} μου{moo###moo###me} ἅπτου,{HAP-too###HAHP-too###cling to} οὔπω{OO-po###OOH-poh###not yet} γὰρ{ghar###ghahr###for} ἀναβέβηκα{a-na-VE-vee-ka###ah-nah-VEH-vee-kah###I have ascended} πρὸς{pros###prohs###to} τὸν{ton###tohn###the} ⸀πατέρα·{pa-TE-ra###pah-TEH-rah###Father} πορεύου{po-RE-voo###poh-REH-voo###go} δὲ{de###deh###but} πρὸς{pros###prohs###to} τοὺς{toos###toos###the} ἀδελφούς{a-dhel-FOOS###ah-dhehl-FOOS###brothers} μου{moo###moo###my} καὶ{ke###keh###and} εἰπὲ{ee-PE###ee-PEH###say} αὐτοῖς·{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} Ἀναβαίνω{a-na-VE-no###ah-nah-VEH-noh###I am ascending} πρὸς{pros###prohs###to} τὸν{ton###tohn###the} πατέρα{pa-TE-ra###pah-TEH-rah###Father} μου{moo###moo###my} καὶ{ke###keh###and} πατέρα{pa-TE-ra###pah-TEH-rah###Father} ὑμῶν{hee-MON###hee-MOHN###your} καὶ{ke###keh###and} θεόν{the-ON###theh-OHN###God} μου{moo###moo###my} καὶ{ke###keh###and} θεὸν{the-ON###theh-OHN###God} ὑμῶν.{hee-MON###hee-MOHN###your}

John 20:17 — DynamicTAB

More on this verse