Noli Me Tangere

The lesson is to a soul brought into the conscious presence of the Lord.

Oh, to be in that condition!

Mary Magdalene had wept because of her Lord’s absence, and longed to find him; and now she has her desire: he stands before her.

Oh, that we knew where we might find him! Job 23:3.

Her conduct in holding him by the feet was natural, and yet it was forbidden by a higher wisdom than that of mortal men.

I. THE CAUTION. “Touch me not.”

1. We may blunder even in our closest fellowship, and may need a prohibition. We have never greater need of caution than in our nearest approaches to God. Courtiers must be most careful in the throne-room.

2. We may carnalize the spiritual.

   • This has ever been a tendency with even the best of the saints; and it has misled many in whom affection has been stronger than intellect.

3. We may seek most passionately what is by no means essential.

   • The assurance of sense, by touch or otherwise: when the assurance of faith is far better, and quite sufficient.
   • The detaining of one who has no intention of going.

4. We may crave what were better further on.

   • When we are raised to eternal glory we shall be able to enjoy what now we must not ask.

5. We may be selfish in our enjoyments.

   • Staying to contemplate alone by ourselves, when we ought rather to bless others by publishing the blessed news. 2 Kings 7:9.

II. THE MISSION. “Go to my brethren.”

She would have preferred to stay, but Jesus bids her go.

1. This was better for her. Contemplation alone may degenerate into the sentimental, the sensuous, the impracticable.

2. This was better for them. They heard the best of news from the most trustworthy of informants.

3. This was unquestioningly done by this holy woman.

   • What she had seen she declared.
   • What she had heard she told.
   • Women are said to be communicative; and so there was wisdom in the choice.
   • Women are affectionate, and so persuasive; and therefore fit to bear such a tender message as we have now to consider.

III. THE TITLE. “My brethren.”

Our Lord, of design, chose this title to comfort his sorrowing ones. They had so acted as almost to cease to be his followers, disciples, or friends; but brotherhood is an abiding relationship. They were—

1. His brethren, though he was about to ascend to his throne.

   • He was still a man, though no more to suffer and die.
   • He still represented them as their risen Head.
   • He was still one with them in all his objects and prospects.

2. His brethren, though they had forsaken him in his shame.

   • Relationship abiding, for brotherhood cannot be broken.
   • Relationship owned more than ever; since their sense of guilt made them afraid. He was a true Joseph to them. Genesis 45:4.
   • Relationship dwelt upon, that they might be reassured.
   • Never let us omit the tender sweetnesses of the gospel, its courtesies, blessings, and love-words, such as the “My brethren” of the text before us. If we leave out these precious words we shall mar the Master’s message of grace.

IV. THE TIDINGS. “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father.”

This message was meant to arouse and comfort them.

1. By the news of his departure they are to be aroused.

2. By the news of his ascension they are to be confirmed.

3. By his ascension to the common Father they are to be comforted with the prospect of coming there themselves. He is not going into an unknown country, but to his home and theirs. John 14:2.

4. By his ascent to God they are to be struck with solemn awe, and brought the more reverently to look for his presence among them.

   • See how practical our Lord is, and how much he values the usefulness of his servants.
   • Have we not somewhat to tell?
   • Whether man or woman, tell the Lord’s brethren what the Lord has told to you.

Touches

It is this that men will labor after, and have labored for, even from the beginning of the world,—to be too much addicted to the things of sight and sense. They will worship Christ, but they must have a picture before them. They will adore Christ, but they must bring his body down to a piece of bread. They must have a presence, and so, instead or raising their hearts to God and Christ in a heavenly manner, they pull down God and Christ to them. This the pride and base earthliness of man will do. And therefore says Christ, “Touch me not” in that manner; it is not with me now as it was before. We must take heed of mean and base conceits of Christ. What says Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:16? “Henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yes, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” Christ after the flesh was of such a tribe and of such a stature, and had such gifts and qualities. What is that to me? Christ is now Lord of lords and King of kings. He is glorious in Heaven, and so I conceive of him.—Richard Sibbes.

“Touch me not.”—By which we are to understand, not that the Lord would have objected to this token of her affection, for we find that soon after the Lord made Thomas put his hand into his side (verse 25); but this was not the moment for Mary to be so employed. The Lord had a message to send by her to his disciples. It was time that they, as well as herself, should receive the joyful tidings of his resurrection; therefore he would first send her to them.—Dr. Hawker.

To whom then do you send her? “Go to my brethren.” Blessed Jesus! who are these? Were they not your followers? Yes, were they not your forsakers? Yet still you style them your brethren. O admirable humanity! O infinite mercy! How do you raise their titles with yourself? At first they were your servants, and then your disciples; a little before your death they were your friends; now, after your resurrection, they were your brethren. You that were exalted infinitely higher from mortal to immortal, descends so much lower to call them brethren who were before friends, disciples, servants.—Bishop Hall.

While the going up of Elijah may be compared to the flight of a bird which none can follow, the ascension of Christ is, as it were, a bridge between Heaven and earth, laid down for all who are drawn to him by his earthly existence.—Baumgarten.