1. Best News Ever John 20:17-18 New Relationships for a New Age Best News Ever Heard

2. New Relationships for a New Age  A new relationship with Christ  Three viewpoints of this passage from page 1156, New Scofield Reference Bible 1. Jesus spoke to Mary acting as the High Priest, fulfilling the Day of Atonement – Lev. 16. 2. Mary was gently rebuked by this command, which literally means “stop clinging to me.” 3. Jesus literally meant “do not detain me now; I am not yet ascended; you will see me again.” Best News Ever John 20:17-18

3. New Relationships for a New Age  This difficulty and apparent contradiction actually validate the reliability of the Gospel accounts.  Several passages help to clear this up – 2 Corinthians 5:16; 1 John 1:1-3. Best News Ever John 20:17-18

4. 2 Corinthians 5:16 (ESV) 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

5. 1 John 1:1-3 (ESV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

6. New Relationships for a New Age  This difficulty and apparent contradiction actually validate the reliability of the Gospel accounts.  Several passages help to clear this up – 2 Corinthians 5:16; 1 John 1:1-3.  Mary now had to know Jesus in a spiritual sense as her Savior, not in the physical.  We have the Holy Spirit to do that for us. Best News Ever John 20:17-18

7. New Relationships for a New Age  A new relationship with the Father  There is a difference between Jesus’ relationship to the Father and our relationship.  We are adopted into the family of God.  This is only known through the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. Best News Ever John 20:17-18

8. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV) 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

9. New Relationships for a New Age  A new relationship with the Father  There is a difference between Jesus’ relationship to the Father and our relationship.  We are adopted into the family of God.  This is only known through the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.  Our adoption allows us to approach the Father in prayer – Romans 8:15. Best News Ever John 20:17-18

10. Romans 8:15 (ESV) 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

11. New Relationships for a New Age  A new relationship with the Father  There is a difference between Jesus’ relationship to the Father and our relationship.  We are adopted into the family of God.  This is only known through the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.  Our adoption allows us to approach the Father in prayer – Romans 8:15.  Our adoption gives us confidence in God. Best News Ever John 20:17-18

12. New Relationships for a New Age  A new relationship to one another  Before this relationship, we were outside of the family and at odds with one another – Ephesians 2:19. Best News Ever John 20:17-18

13. Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

14. New Relationships for a New Age  A new relationship to one another  Before this relationship, we were outside of the family and at odds with one another – Ephesians 2:19.  First time John uses the word “brethren” in this sense (believers in Christ) – John 21:23  Quote, John White, The Fight IVP 1976 p.129 Best News Ever John 20:17-18

15. Application 1 Do you understand your new relationship with God as adopted sons and daughters? How are your family relationships How are your family relationships? Best News Ever John 20:17-18