Joh 20:17 Jesus said to her, “…go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ “
Jesus at the beginning of His ministry called 12 ordinary men and made them His disciples (Joh 2). The first relationship was that of teacher and students (followers). In Joh 10, the relationship progresses to Shepherd and the sheep (relationship of belonging, known, loved and cared for). The disciples knew they were sheep and servants until in Joh 15, the nature of Christ’s relationship progresses from servanthood to friends, brought in the Father’s revelations. In John 13:1 declares that He had loved them till the end just as He was about to go on the cross. He now confesses that “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (Joh 15:9). On the day He rose from the dead, we see the climax of His relationship to the disciples, He calls them “brethren”. From disciples, to servants, to friends and finally brethren.
He expresses Himself with more tender affection to them than before; He had called them friends, but never brethren till now. The ones He calls brethren are the ones who had denied and deserted Him. He even says He will ascend to His Father who He also calls their Father. That is the language of brethren with the same Father. Not step brothers or cousins but brothers. This also is true-that our relationship with Jesus involves our relationship with the Father as His children and Jesus being our big brother. He purchased this right on the cross with His own blood and the Father adopted us as sons (children) (Eph 1:5), “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, …” (Rom 8:17). In this brotherhood, believers are heirs with God and joint heirs with Jesus “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” (2Pe 1:3). Let us identify with our new nature (Divine nature) and walk in it.