The Forgiveness of Christ in his Resurrection

For the Easter Vigil this year, I was able to worship from the pews for a change and visit a different parish and hear a seminary friend preach. His text was Jesus’s words to Mary Magdalene in the Resurrection account from John. Jesus says to Magdalene, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” My friend made an interesting point in his sermon that I wanted to share with you.

In love, the Lord sends Mary Magdalene to the same disciples who deserted him and betrayed him only three days prior. Peter famously denied our Lord in the high priest’s courtyard, when the cock crowed; and all the disciples ended up fleeing. John alone was present at the crucifixion. He alone remained faithful to the end.

And yet, Jesus does not disparage these men or hold them in contempt. He doesn’t send Mary Magdalene to “those traitors” but says “Go to my brothers.” Such is the compassion of Christ, that having died for their sins, he does not hold their sins against them but continues to reach out, desiring a relationship despite their desertion, still considering them so close as to be family.

I thought this was a powerful picture of forgiveness, and it reminds me of what Paul says in Romans 2:4, that “it is God’s kindness (not his wrath) that leads us to repentance.”