As Easter approaches I’ve been thinking about all that took place and how the Scriptures reveal it. One of the things that has always perplexed me was why did Mary Magdalene think Jesus was the Gardener when she first saw Him near the empty tomb in the garden?
If you research that question here are some of the answers you will find:
- She could have been far away from Him.
- The incident happened early in the morning so the lighting could have been dim.
- Or the sun coming up could have blinded her if it was shining in her eyes.
- She was sad and tears may have blurred her vision.
- Jesus may have altered His appearance.
- “The tomb was located in a garden… and a gardener was the most logical person for her to assume was present.”
- And my very favorite: “Many interpret this scene as a deliberate nod to Genesis, where Jesus acts as the ‘new Adam’ or the gardener tending to the new creation and cultivating new life.” (The last two were direct quotes from AI.)
Whatever the reason, Jesus was often found in a garden praying. And especially as His death on the cross was approaching.
Here is another quote from AI. (I’m not crazy about AI, but I do think there is validity in this quote.)
“In the Bible, gardens symbolize creation, intimacy with God, spiritual growth, and restoration. They appear from the beginning in Eden (Genesis 2:8) to the end in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22), representing God’s provision and the ideal environment for human flourishing.”
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1-2 (KJV)
I love spending time in the garden. I love the creative arranging of the garden to get the most beauty from it. I love that God has given me gardens to steward for Him.
And I love that God walked in the garden looking for Adam and Eve.
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis 3:8-9 (KJV)
God asks all of us that same question, where are you?
Are you for Him, and walking with Him, or are you hiding?
Spring is here and I’m out in the gardens once more. As I clean out the overgrowth and make a fresh start, I try to make it look like what I imagine might have been in the garden of Eden. A place where Jesus might want to meet with me and rest is found. As humans we can’t get there, but we can give it our best shot.
Before
After
I pray you have a wonderful Easter Season!
