One of the joys of reading Scripture is stumbling across the unexpected in the midst of the familiar. For instance, while we are well acquainted with the resurrection account, there are some unexpected treasures in the midst of the miraculous.
Consider this statement by Jesus to Mary in the garden: “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” (John 20:17, NAS95)
What is astounding in that statement is the revelation of a new relationship. God in heaven is not only the Father of Jesus as He has attested and demonstrated throughout His ministry, but now He also affirms that God is also the Father of those who are rightly related to Him.
A distinction should be made that while we share the same Father and God, we do not share Him in the same way. Jesus is still the second member of the Trinity; the disciples and subsequent believers are adopted sons, brought into the family by choice. “‘It is one thing when he says my, it is another when Jesus says your; by nature mine, by grace yours. My God, under whom I also am as man, your God, between whom and you I am the Mediator.’ Augustine. ‘He is the Father’s natural Son, born from all eternity, and not an adopted son (Kuehrsohn), and this superiority he has over all others.’ Luther.” [Lenski]
So the Father is the Father of Jesus and the Father of us in different ways, but the truth remains: He is our Father (notice that Jesus says this applies not only to Mary, but to all His disciples — “go to the brethren…”).
This new relationship is quickly embraced by the disciples and the NT writers. Even Thomas when he first encounters the resurrected Christ acknowledges this relationship: “Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (v. 28; see also Rom. 1:8; 8:16-17; 15:6; 1 Cor. 1:4; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 4:4-7; Phil. 1:3; 4:19; Phlm. 4; 1 Jn. 3:1-3; Rev. 3:2, 12, 21).
The resurrection is our joy for the obvious benefits like justification and forgiveness and redemption and reconciliation and sanctification. But it is also our joy for the new benefit that makes God our Father and Christ our brother.
Our brother Jesus (the first-born and preeminent among the brothers) has brought us into fellowship with His Father, the God and sovereign of all.
Words of Grace 