Those who misunderstand the verse ‘I’m ascending to my Father and to my God’ do so because they are relying on what is called the False Dilemma Fallacy (trying to FALSIFY or LIMIT the argument by relying only on ONE misunderstood scripture whereas there are over plenty other verses which give more CONTEXT to the verse and show that in his essence the Son is God).
It’s a terrible choice to go to this chapter to try prove that Jesus is not God because it is the clearest chapter which proves that Jesus was CRUCIFIED, he is GOD and that in the three persons of the ONE God, he is the Son of God who in essence is God.
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” (John 20:17).
Friend, could you show anywhere in this verse where Jesus clearly says “I am not God”?
The misunderstanding here arises out of a disbelief in the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit as being God in essence.
God is the God of all flesh.
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
(Jeremiah 32:27)
Therefore when the Word became flesh (Son of God)(John 1:14), through birth by Mary, the Father became his God. Jesus confirms this in Psalm 22 which is a prophecy about him:
“From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb YOU HAVE BEEN MY GOD.” (Psalms 22:10)
The Son exists in eternity as spirit but when he became flesh, he called the Father ‘God’.
But earlier, the book of John shed more light (context) as to Jesus returning to the Father:
‘Jesus knew that the Father HAD PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS (Jesus’) POWER, and that he had come from God and WAS RETURNING TO GOD; (John 13:3).
Do you see what CONTEXT means? Is there any prophet to whom was ever given power over ALL THINGS?
What does the verse further down the same chapter say?
“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “MY LORD AND MY GOD!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29)
Jesus’ disciple calls him ‘MY GOD” and Jesus does not condemn him for BLASPHEMY but rather promises a blessing to those who have not seen him yet believe in his CRUCIFIXION and that he is GOD!