Basic HTML Version
184
The Story of Redemption
why she wept. She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I
know not where they have laid Him.”
John 20:13
.
“Touch Me Not”
As she turned from the sepulcher she saw Jesus standing near,
but knew Him not. He spoke to her tenderly, inquiring the cause of
her sorrow and asking whom she was seeking. Supposing that He
was the gardener, she begged Him, if He had borne away her Lord, to
tell her where He had laid Him, that she might take Him away. Jesus
spoke to her with his own heavenly voice, saying, “Mary!” She was
acquainted with the tones of that dear voice, and quickly answered,
“Master!” and in her joy was about to embrace Him; but Jesus said,
“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 20:17
. Joyfully she
hastened to the disciples with the good news. Jesus quickly ascended
to His Father to hear from His lips that He accepted the sacrifice,
and to receive all power in heaven and on earth.
[236]
Angels like a cloud surrounded the Son of God and bade the
everlasting gates be lifted up, that the King of glory might come
in. I saw that while Jesus was with that bright heavenly host, in the
presence of God, and surrounded by His glory, He did not forget His
disciples upon the earth, but received power from His Father, that He
might return and impart power to them. The same day He returned
and showed Himself to His disciples. He suffered them then to touch
Him, for He had ascended to His Father and had received power.
Doubting Thomas
At this time Thomas was not present. He would not humbly
receive the report of the disciples, but firmly and self-confidently
affirmed that he would not believe unless he should put his fingers in
the prints of the nails and his hand in the side where the cruel spear
was thrust. In this he showed a lack of confidence in his brethren. If
all should require the same evidence, none would now receive Jesus
and believe in His resurrection. But it was the will of God that the