What Jesus Did! 'Don't Cling to Me; Go and Tell' — John 20:17-18

Tuesday, December 15, 2026

"Don't cling to me," Jesus said [to Mary outside his tomb], "for I haven't yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!" Then she gave them his message.

— John 20:17-18 NLT

Key Thought

One of the biggest tasks we have as Jesus' disciples is not to cling to Jesus - not to cocoon ourselves in church where we feel the presence of the Lord but avoid going to tell others about him. We have a message of hope and of a never-ending life to share with others who are trapped in hopelessness and despair. As disciples, we are not to spend the majority of our time in holy pep rallies, but we are to spend our time and efforts in the world, touching its hurt and offering hope in a Jesus who lives in us and can live in them. Jesus accompanies us when we go and share that message and when we go and serve those who are broken, just as much as he does when we meet together as his people. So let's get out there and give others his message in word and deed.

Today's Prayer

Father, help me not be just part of a watered-down faith that spends so much time on sharing Jesus with itself and avoids entering the world to serve as Jesus served and to show by our actions that Jesus is alive today. Help me share Jesus' message with those around me, not arrogantly or self-righteously, but with genuine concern and through authentic service. In Jesus' name, and for Jesus' sake, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of John 20:17-18 NLT — "I have seen the Lord!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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