When the gospel takes root in our lives, there will be fruit. This should be our expectation for ourselves and for others—and it is a cause for us to return praise to God. Pastor Jonathan begins a new series studying Colossians.
Podcast
When the gospel takes root in our lives, there will be fruit. This should be our expectation for ourselves and for others—and it is a cause for us to return praise to God. Pastor Jonathan begins a new series studying Colossians.
Jonathan Griffiths serves as President of Heritage College and Seminary and as Executive Director of the Timothy Trust. He studied theology at Oxford and Cambridge universities and is the author of more than fifteen books—most recently, Gathered for Good: God’s Good Design for the Local Church (B&H, 2025). His syndicated Bible teaching program, Encounter the Truth, is heard on radio networks across Canada and the United States and globally through podcast. Jonathan is deeply committed to expository preaching and loves to train and mentor others in word ministry. He and his wife, Gemma, have three children.
John 20:17 seems strange. After Jesus rose from the dead, Mary Magdalene weeps in front of the empty tomb. At first mistaking Jesus to be the gardener, she recognizes Jesus once he calls her by name. Her first impulse is to reach out a “cling” to Jesus. But Jesus says, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). The verb “cling to” is literally “touch.” Apparently, Jesus cannot be touched until he ascends to the Father. At first glance, this seems strange. D. A. Carson even adds that “This verse belongs to...
