Don’t Touch Me Or Touch Me?

After the resurrection why did Jesus command Mary Magdalene not to touch Him for He had not yet ascended to the Father, yet later in the chapter, Jesus asked Thomas to feel His wounds?

Q. Re: John 20:14-17. After the resurrection why did Jesus command Mary Magdalene not to touch Him for He had not yet ascended to the Father, yet later in the chapter, Jesus asked Thomas to feel His wounds?

A. According to Hebrews 10:24-25 Jesus entered the Tabernacle in Heaven to sprinkle His own blood on the mercy seat there. Many believe that this is where He was going when Mary came upon Him in the Garden. She had lost Him once and probably had Him locked in a death grip so as not to lose Him again. He asked her not to cling to him, but to go and tell the others that He was returning to God. That night He was back to meet with all the disciples except for Thomas who was absent (John 20:19-25). One week later Thomas finally saw Him. (John 20:26-29)