Central Truth

Gardens have figured prominently in the destruction and restoration of our relationships with God, people, self, and the world.

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Reflections

When the United States President negotiates treaties or signs legislation he does so on behalf of all citizens of the USA. It doesn't matter whether you agree with him or not. It doesn't matter whether you are 1 or 100 years old or even whether you are aware of it. All citizens are represented by him and his actions affect all in the country. 

We read in the Bible about two men whose actions in gardens changed our relationship with God. You may not have even been aware of their affect on you. The first Adam was the first to live on earth and the second Adam or last Adam was Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:45-47). Each of these men served as our leaders, our delegates. The things they agreed to and the actions they did changed our lives even more than the President of the USA can.

In the garden of Eden the first Adam chose disobedience (Genesis 3). Relationships with God, people, self, and the environment were all disrupted. We read that Adam and Eve hid from God: their conversations with God were interrupted. They parented the first dysfunctional family where one brother murdered another. Weeds took over the world and now all our gardens suffer. Sin and self conflict entered their lives and ours.

In the garden of Gethsemane the second Adam chose obedience to God when he said, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). His actions on earth and His sacrifice provide new hope for us. Relationships with God, people, self, and the environment can be restored. The transformation and redemption of all is happening now and will be fulfilled in the future. A new heaven and new earth are coming with God establishing a final and wonderful garden for us (Revelation 21 and 22).

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Discussion Questions

1. Tomorrow (April 19th) will be a Saturday. Perhaps we will have a wonderful Spring day in which you can enjoy the beauty of a garden. Spend some time in a garden and meditate on what God has done in the garden experiences of the two Adams. 

2. Make a comparison of the actions of the two Adams. How did their actions and the consequences differ?

3. Jesus could have fled from the garden of Gethsemane and thus abandon His calling and His responsibilities. What is God calling you to do?

4. Reread the other accounts of time in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36, Mark 14:32). How did prayer help ready Jesus for the decision? How did a lack for prayer leave the disciples unprepared?

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