Detonating the Gospel

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:17-18

Mary grabs onto Jesus, so thrilled she can hold him again. And yet, he wants so much more. He ascends into the spiritual realm so that now, not only one person can hold him in her arms, but that each of us can hold him in our hearts. The ascension detonates the gospel, exploding it into the world. And notice who the very first missionary is… Mary.

Jesus's last word to Mary, the messy one, is “Go…” That makes her, the original witness and the first Christian, also the apostle to the apostles and the world’s missionary prototype! Mary’s job is pretty simple: to tell what she’s experienced - first of all to those disoriented friends of Jesus who need to reconnect with the living Christ. 

How might God be speaking to you today through Mary? What story do you have to tell others?