What Is Really There In John 20:17?

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 (NKJV) I sent this question to someone I [frequently] listen to on the local “Christian” radio station: After reading John 20:17, would you say Jesus’ God and Father and your God and Father are one and the same? I did not receive a direct “Yes” or “No” response but, here’s a (about 1/3rd) portion of what I did receive: Dear Jim, Thank you for your recent email to _______________ asking about John 20:17 and the teachings of Athanasius (ca, 296-373). Jim, we encourage you not to make more of John 20:17 than is really there. Jesus told Mary, do not cling to me, because He had not yet ascended to the Father—the One and only Father revealed through Jesus Christ to all believers. The application of this verse in our lives is that we are to be a conduit of His love to others; we are to go out and serve and witness. Here’s a (about 1/4th) portion of [my] reply: If you believe everything Jesus said is important, teach it as such. For example in John 20:17 we find, Jesus’ God and Father and Jesus’ brethren’s God and Father are one and the same. This should not only be recognized as an [absolute] truth today, it should be taught as one as well. God bless. In His Care… Jim