One last thought before we leave John. In CH 20, when Mary finds Jesus in the garden, He tells her not to touch Him, because He was not yet ascended. Then later in CH 20, He instructs Thomas to reach out and "thrust" his hand into Jesus' wounds. Someone else pointed this out to me years ago, asking about the apparent contradiction, as Jesus was not yet ascended when He spoke to Thomas. Many commentaries point out the different words that are used, that Jesus was telling Mary not to become attached to Him; that He would be leaving. This explanation is adequate, but not really satisfying. In researching the question, I found an explanation that is a little more compelling, and interesting to consider. In the OT, when the High Priest made the annual sacrifice for the sins of all the people, He carried the blood into the Holy of Holies, in a basin and a very strict ceremony - as I recall, he had to back into the room, among other requirements, to sprinkle the blood on the Mercy Seat. This was the final step of the ritual. (I apologize that I did not go look this up before I posted, and this is just my recollection, so if anyone finds something different, please forgive me, and let me know.) At any rate, this writer suggested that Jesus' final step of His perfect sacrifice was to take His blood to the Father. If she touched Him, she might have defiled the offering. Considering that He is everything, the sacrifice, the High Priest, the scapegoat etc., this author suggested He was even the basin, and He carried the blood to God in completing the sacrifice. But He took a few minutes from His task to comfort and encourage His beloved Mary as she mourned for Him. His love for us is great!!