“In the Garden”

My earthly protector, holding me and comforting me!

2004

Welcome all who are weary and burdened!

And if you don’t find yourself in these categories, please, I encourage you to keep reading.

I won’t pretend to be all-knowing; that’s a powerful claim. Yet, I believe I have somewhat of a grasp of the world I live in. Wherever you are, at this moment, and breathing in what seems like pure, fresh air, have you paused to question who gave you that very breath? First, let’s focus on what surrounds you.

What I mean by that, is… Are your surroundings pointing you back to your creator? It doesn’t have to be anything complex. As you read these words, take a moment to look at your surroundings. What do you see, feel, hear, smell and taste?

I sit in my apartment and pick my head up to glance around. I noticed where the OCD clearly made its mark. There’s a half-eaten apple Danish to my left, a warm cup of coffee in front of me waiting to be drunk, and to my right, a sign in my kitchen that reads, “This kitchen is for dancing.” A sliver of the serene blue sky is visible through my large windows. In the background, not too loud, Johnny Cash sweetly sings “In the Garden” into my ears. If my mother is reading this, don’t be disappointed that it’s not the Alan Jackson version!

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'll stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling
And 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

As I try to write something insightful and inspiring for my readers. I continue to get distracted because of this song. It somehow got stuck on a continuous loop, and now I’m intrigued to figure out the meaning behind “In the Garden.”

This famous hymn was written by C. Austin Miles. I won’t go into much detail about him to spare you the time. The inspiration came to him after having read John 20. If you don’t already know this chapter in the Gospels and are a believer… What are you doing? Read it RIGHT NOW! If you’re not a Christian, then you get a pass. I’ll do my best to explain:

John 20, written by the Apostle John, where he first focuses on Mary Magdalene. Mary goes to Jesus’ tomb on a Sunday morning. There she stands (pause for dramatic effect), looking upon an open and empty tomb. How can this be? She had just witnessed her Christ being beaten, spat on, and crucified on a cross the day before. Pierced on his right side as blood and water flooded out to ensure he was dead, taken down because of the Sabbath, his body wrapped by his disciples with linen cloths and spices, then placed and sealed in an empty tomb that lies in a garden.

I suppose I could have given a reader’s discretion before making you read and conjure such vivid and powerful imagery and or spared the gory details. But I can’t eliminate the crucial elements that give us the substance we need for the rest of the story. Just wait. I promise there’s a more joyful ending.

So we left off when Mary Magdalene approached the empty grave. She runs to Simon Peter and “the one whom Jesus loved,” John. They hurried to the tomb and found only the linens that had once enfolded their beloved friend and brother, Jesus. Confused, their only thought must have been that Jesus’ body was stolen. “For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.” (v. 9)

These two disciples returned home, and Mary stood outside the tomb and wept. As she looks back into the grave, two angels are sitting at the feet and head of where Jesus’ linens lay. The angels ask, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (v. 13) She replies, probably tremblingly, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” (v. 13) Can you guess what happens next? Mary turns, and lo and behold, there he stands. Not knowing that her Lord stands before her, Jesus asks, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Still not recognizing Christ, Mary says, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (v. 15) Jesus then says her name, “Mary.” “Rabboni!” (Teacher!), Mary cries out. (v. 16) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (v. 17) Mary Magdalene went to the disciples and told them,

“I have seen the Lord.” (v. 18)

While there is more to this chapter, which is very significant to the gospel message, I want to hone in on Jesus revealing himself to Mary Magdelene.

Mary Magdalene is indeed a prominent and often misunderstood figure in the New Testament. She is a significant character in the Gospels and plays a central role in some of the most pivotal moments of Christian history. She was the first to encounter the risen Christ.

Out of everything that occurs in John chapter 20, the hymn “In the Garden” focuses on Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene. The writer of the melody, Miles, shares that he can imagine himself present in the garden on that magnificent day, witnessing the encounter between Jesus and Mary. Thou we cannot close our eyes and force ourselves to be there physically. And or paint a picture of the very face of our messiah. The scriptures give us a clear and visual understanding of their meeting.

For whatever reason, whether that be the Holy Spirit or genuine curiosity. I was led to this passage because of what was surrounding me.

This leads to my question: How would you respond in the presence of Jesus? Would your heart leap for joy, as Mary Magdalenes did?

As I sit here, hungry for a deeper understanding of our Lord, am I drawing him closer? It would be selfish to think I hold that kind of power; it’s selfish to think I am somehow saving myself because I “asked and accepted” Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior into my cold, dark heart. This thought lessens my Lord, and that reduces my Savior. I don’t “invite” or ”open the door of my heart” to him; he invites and lets me in. The one who took upon my burdens, shame, and regrets tells us and promises us, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Right now, in my numbered days, I am trusting Jesus and what he did on that cross for my salvation. It is revealed in the scriptures that we are to repent and believe.

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekial 36:26)

Christ took out my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh. The spirit now dwells in me; Christ resides! “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4) If your soul ever feels burdened and weary, take comfort in the promise of rest that Christ offers. He willingly bore our burdens, declaring, 'It is finished!' on the cross, signifying the completion of His work of salvation. In Him, we can find the ultimate source of peace.

“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

I will leave you with this: On Judgement day, You don’t want to be told by Christ, the one who gave you breath, “I never knew you.” Instead, I hope you can enter the Kingdom rejoicing and joyfully. In the presence of Christ, Whatever name I use, I want a response like Mary Magdalene!

“Rabonni, Abba Father, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace”