We see in these verses how kindly and graciously the Lord speaks of His disciples. He bids Mary Magdalene carry a message to them as “His brethren”. He bids her tell them that His Father was their Father, and His God their God. It was but three days before that they had all forsaken Him shamefully and fled. Yet this merciful Master speaks as if all was forgiven and forgotten. His first thought is to bring back the wanderers, to bind up the wounds of their consciences, to reanimate their courage, to restore them to their former place. This was indeed a love that passeth knowledge. To trust deserters, and to show confidence in backsliders, was a compassion which man can hardly understand. So true is that word of David: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust” (Ps 103:13,14).
1Comments on John 20:11-18, from Expository Thoughts on John, vol 3, with editing.
Let us leave the passage with the comforting reflection that Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever. As He dealt with His erring disciples on the morning of His resurrection, so will He deal with all who believe and love Him, until He comes again. When they wander out of the way He will bring them back. When they fall He will raise them again. But He will never break His royal word: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (Jn 6:37). The saints in glory will have one anthem, in which every voice and heart will join: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Ps 103:10).