“Jesus said to her, ‘ “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ” ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’ ” ‘ ” ‘ ” (John 20:17).
Heavenly Father, how grateful we are that death could not keep You in the grave! Therefore, we do not fear death, nor the grave, because You conquered them both! And because You live, we too shall live! We thank You in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and our God. Amen!
In our Second devotional under the title, “What The World Needs is Jesus, Just a Glimpse of Him,” I promised that at the close of the series, I would explain why I had changed the comma, in Jesus’ answer to the thief who accepted Him as his Savior, at the eleventh hour. The series went up to four devotionals instead of three. So this devotional is an epilogue to the series.
Jesus had come to this earth on a divine mission, to save the human race from death, and restore the family of earth to the family of heaven.
As He hung dying there on Calvary’s cross, and the repentant thief acknowledged Him as Lord, and requested a place in His kingdom at His ascension, Jesus wanted to assure him that his petition would be granted. Of that he could be sure. He did not give him a day or an hour when, it would happen, but that, it would happen!
Our text for today makes it clear that Jesus did not go to heaven the same day He died, “I have not yet ascended to My Father.” So He could not have promised the thief that that very day he would be with Him in Paradise. Therefore the correct writing and reading of this verse, is the following:
“Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”
His mission had been accomplished. The first human being had been assured that because Christ was dying, his life would be spared. And Mary had been told that the the family of earth, was once again united to the family in heaven, “My Father is your Father, and My God is your God.”
Much has been lost in translation. Sacred Scripture was not written with commas and periods. These were added by those who translated the Bible into other languages. This is one of those translating errors. Nevertheless, God always has a way of preserving truth. And in speaking to Mary, Jesus set the record straight.
The Bible is God’s inspired Word, and can be trusted! If you desire truth, the Holy Spirit has been given to us, all of us, to lead us into ALL TRUTH! Trust God and prayerfully read His Word, you will never regret it. To the contrary, your life will be enriched, and you will be blessed, because of it.