Article April 13, 2015 Issue

Untouched by fear and falsehood

Lynn G. Jackson

While reading the biblical record of Jesus’ resurrection, I came upon one of my favorite passages, where Mary Magdalene sees Christ Jesus in the garden. According to the book of John, Jesus came upon a crying Mary, who first assumed he was the gardener, and “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:16). The tender mental touch of the Christ awakened Mary to Jesus’ spiritual identity; she knew her Redeemer. 

In reading this story a few months ago, I found that Jesus’ next words stood out to me more than ever: “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father” (20:17). The words “Touch me not” affected me deeply. I could mentally envision all of the beliefs in matter’s reality clamoring for Jesus’ attention. Jesus had destroyed these material beliefs through his resurrection, and they were nothing to him now, but he also didn’t want to be pulled down by matter as he continued toward his final demonstration of the ascension.

While reading, I was touched by the wisdom of our Master. He didn’t let a single sense of attachment to matter, regardless of how compelling, touch his strengthened spiritual view of man’s pure spirituality, wholeness, and immortality. This instruction, “Touch me not,” can be a guidepost for us today as we advance in our spiritual understanding of the allness of God.

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2015 Annual Meeting
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