Jesus is recorded to have used the phrase, ‘my Father’ many times when referring to God, who sent Him, while he was on earth. But did you realize that the King James Version of the Bible, reflects the phrase “My God” as used by Jesus, only twice. Once it was on the Cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) and the next time, it was post resurrection, in his conversation with Mary Magdalene. Jesus told Mary, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)
Not only is this statement one that makes us the brothers (and sisters) of Jesus, but the relationship starts to get even more intimate. We are co-heirs with Christ, because Jesus makes God, His Father, our Father as well, when he says “and your Father”. In John 8:44, Jesus refers to those in whom His word had no place, and those who did not love Him (which makes up pretty much for all those unsaved, including you and me, before we heeded to the word of God and believed in Jesus) as being the children of the devil when he says “Ye are of your father the devil”. But with his act of sacrifice that was acceptable to God, His Father, we see that the lost relationship of God with man as Father and son has been restored because of Jesus’ death and Resurrection.
What a privilege it is to be adopted into God’s family as sons (and daughters) of THE Only True God who sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, so that we can believe in Him and have eternal life (John 3:16; John 17:3). But let us pause for a moment. Jesus did not just make us sons (and daughters) of God, but he also made us servants of God. He said, my Father and your Father; and my God and your God, not just My Father and your Father. We are sons AND servants (meaning we are expected to serve) God, the Father, but many of us just want to be sons, and not servants. We tend to use God as a loving Father who fancies our every indulgence, but seldom want to have him to be the LORD of our lives; to be our God.
Note how on the Cross, Jesus addressed God as “Father” and cried “My God, my God” not “My God, your God”. However, with His act of love, dying in our stead, taking the punishment for sin for us, and His sacrifice being acceptable to God (Hebrews 10:1-18), He changes his address from just “Father” and “My God, my God” to “My Father and your Father; My God, and your God“. While this establishes a long lost relationship, let us recognize that we are not merely sons but servants as well, and are expected to inherit with Christ while serving God, Our Father. Jesus affirmed that God is “Your Father and Your God” and he meant both.
John 20:17 (KJV)
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
