“And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man that He had formed.” – Genesis 2:8
“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.” – John 18:1
“Now in the place that He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” – John 19:41
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ ” – John 20:1-16
God loves the garden. In the beginning God started with a garden that He created for us to enjoy fellowship with Him and each other…until we betrayed Him. Jesus loved to spend time frequently in the garden of Gethsemanie in conversation with the Father and fellowship with His disciples…and it was there He was arrested. Betrayed in a garden again.
John mentions that the tomb was located in a garden. It was to a garden that they ran that morning. It was in a garden that Mary was reunited with the living Jesus! It was in a garden that she heard Him speak her name!
Today, the resurrected living Jesus calls you by name! Do you hear His voice? I know, it’s hard to believe, but it is Him! He is calling you back to the garden. Not to lay flowers at His grave, but to be reunited with your Lord and Savior! There is more than an empty tomb in this garden…there is Jesus!
He is RISEN!