Two gardens … two strategic places where God met humanity.
The first garden, Eden, was the most perfect garden planted by God (Genesis 2:8) as a place to dwell with humanity. God would walk in the garden in the cool of the day to seek out His image-bearers. It’s hard to imagine the depth of intimacy Adam and Eve had with their Creator. How joyful and profound their conversations must have been. The garden was to be a place of communion, a place of nourishment, a place of purpose, and a place of life.
From the void, God had breathed life into His creation, crafting a world full of beauty and abundance.
However, when the first humans chose to believe the deceitful whispers of the enemy over the promises of their Creator, death settled over the Earth. Their tragic choice led to a painful separation in the relationship between humanity and God. From that moment, God initiated His redemption plan—to restore the union with those who bear His image. A second garden!
This garden would carry the same intention as the first: communion, nourishment, purpose, and life. It was the Garden of Gethsemane. John 19:41 records, “At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.”
The tomb of Jesus. In a garden. A garden that would redeem the first.
It was this garden that would bring restoration and life. The garden where the dead body of our Savior was laid to rest. The place where Satan thought he had conquered Christ once and for all. And yet, it was the place where Satan was eternally defeated, and eternal life for us was won through the resurrection of our Savior!
This garden restored intimate communion with God and carved the path for eternal life with Him. “For through him (Jesus) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:18
This garden is the place where Christ’s resurrection brought nourishment to our souls. “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” John 6:35
Because of this garden, we find our purpose, and it comes through living in our Savior, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28
This garden ushered in our resurrected Lord, who brought life to all who accepted His free gift. “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
As we approach Easter, Jesus invites us to the garden with Him. There are great mysteries He wants to unfold, parts of our lives He wants to heal, and whispers of His unconditional love He wants to share.
One of my favorite Easter hymns as a child that I would sing in church is “In the Garden.” The words are powerful and I hope they minister to you.
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
I’d stay in the garden with Him
‘Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
May we continue to live…
Rooted in Him,
