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1. Christ's words were addressed to Mary's thoughts, which was, "Now all is fulfilled. He has returned from the Father; He is going to take us to His kingdom, and we shall be for ever with Him." "Not so," replies our Lord, "I have more work to do, and so have you."

2. There is a remarkable difference between Mary's case and that of Thomas. She believed too much; he too little. Her eager faith is corrected by the "Touch Me not, but go"; his unbelief is removed by "Come, reach hither thy hand." Man would have said to faith, "Touch me"; to unbelief, "Touch me not."

I. CHRIST'S WORK. He has gone —

1. To get the Spirit for us. Now He has received the promise of the Father — "Gifts for men."

2. To intercede for us.

3. To prepare a place for us.

4. To give repentance and forgiveness. Thus He cautions us — "Be calm and patient; I have gone to do My work. It must be done, and then no more delay."

II. OUR WORK. Mary had something else to do than touch and enjoy; so have we — work.

1. For ourselves. "Follow Me," "Take up your cross," "Let your light shine," "Grow in grace."

2. For the Church. We are members one of another to "bear one another's burdens," &c.

3. For the world — to pray for it, preach to it, save it. How long Christ's work will last we know not, but ours will soon be done. Therefore, "Whatsoever thy hand," &c.

(H. Bonar, D. D.)

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KJV: Jesus saith unto her, 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.

WEB: Jesus said to her, "Don't hold me, for I haven't yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"