The Gardener
April 20, 2025
In the quiet moments of a garden, amidst the rustling leaves and morning dew, a profound truth awaits discovery. It's a truth that echoes through the ages, from the first garden of Eden to an empty tomb on Easter morning. This truth speaks of our identity, our purpose, and the relentless love of a God who seeks us out.
Imagine for a moment Mary Magdalene, weeping in a garden, her vision blurred by tears. She looks up and sees a figure, but doesn't recognize Him. "Supposing Him to be the gardener," the Gospel of John tells us. This simple misidentification carries mountains of meaning, encapsulating the entire narrative of Scripture.
From Genesis to Revelation, we see a God who tends to His creation with the care of a master gardener. In Eden, He placed the first humans and asked them to work and keep the garden. But through disobedience, they introduced death into a world teeming with life. The curse of sin spread like weeds, choking out the beauty and abundance God intended.
Yet even in this fallen world, God didn't abandon His creation. Instead, He set in motion a plan of redemption that would culminate in Jesus Christ – the new Adam, the true Gardener who would restore what was lost.
The parallels between Adam and Jesus are striking, but in reverse. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded:
1. Temptation: Adam, surrounded by abundance in Eden, gave in to temptation. Jesus, alone and hungry in the wilderness, stood firm against the devil's offers, clinging to God's word.
2. Obedience: Adam chose autonomy over trust, bringing curse upon creation. Jesus remained obedient to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross, bringing blessing and redemption.
3. Presence: Adam and Eve hid from God in shame. Jesus reveals Himself, making God's presence known again and calling us by name.
4. Life and Death: Adam brought death into a living world. Jesus brings life into a dying one, conquering sin and death through His resurrection.
This reversal is beautifully illustrated in the garden scene with Mary Magdalene. Where once humanity hid from God, now we see humanity seeking Him. Mary's grief and confusion mirror our own longings and questions. "Where is God?" we often cry out in our pain and disorientation.
But God is not absent. He is not hidden. We just do not always recognize Him.
When Jesus speaks Mary's name, everything changes. He doesn't just call her by the Romanized version of her name, but by her true Hebrew name – Miriam. In doing so, He speaks to her deepest identity, reminding her of who she truly is in God's eyes.
This moment of recognition is more than just a touching reunion. It's a picture of resurrection spoken directly to the soul. Jesus is doing the same for each of us. He calls us by our true names – not the labels the world has given us, not the shame or regret we carry, but the name known and loved by God from the beginning.
We, like Mary, are living under the false empire of sin and death. We've been called by names that are not really ours – sinner, shameful, angry, addict. But those are not our true identities. When Jesus the Gardener calls our name, He's reminding us: "You are not from here. You were not made for this place. That is not your real name, and sin is not your real king."
The invitation is clear: Will you answer when He calls your name?
Some of us need to respond for the first time, recognizing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Others have already said yes, but still struggle with lingering darkness and brokenness. The beautiful truth is that our God is a gardener, and a gardener's work is never done. Season after season, He keeps planting, pruning, and nurturing.
He's willing to pull the weeds choking out life in your soul. He's ready to prune the dead branches of sin and addiction that drain your vitality. But will you let Him? Will you trust the sometimes painful process of growth and change?
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5: "For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. The life Jesus brings is not just a far-off eternal promise, but a present reality that can transform every aspect of our existence – our relationships, our minds, our bodies, our workplaces. It's a life that invades dead places and spreads abundance.
Today, you have a choice. Will you hide like Adam and Eve, covering yourself in fig leaves of shame and self-protection? Or will you step out in courage, responding to the gentle whisper of your true name?
The Gardener is calling. He sees the weeds surrounding you, the things sucking life from your soil. He wants to uproot them, to create space for new growth. It may feel scary to let go of the familiar, even if it's harmful. But Jesus promises: "If you let me pull the weeds, you have me. You have the Gardener."
Take a moment now to listen. What name is He calling you? What areas of your life need His tender care and pruning touch? Don't be afraid to look stupid or uncertain. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply take one step forward, even if we don't fully understand.
Remember, there's no magic in religious rituals or spaces. The power lies in our willingness to move towards God, to physically embody our spiritual commitment. Whether it's kneeling at an altar or bowing your head right where you are, choose to respond.
Death has no hold on you. You belong to the living King, Jesus. He's doing a work right now, speaking to hearts, bringing forth hidden things to be washed away. Trust the process. Lean into whatever He's stirring within you – emotions, memories, scriptures coming to mind.
If you've never made Jesus Lord of your life, today can be the day. It's not about having all the answers, but about offering your life in trust. Repent of your old ways and ask Him to make you a new creation.
This is just the beginning of a journey. The Gardener isn't finished with any of us. But take heart – His burden is easy, and His yoke is light. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
So step into the garden. Let the Master Gardener tend to your soul. Answer when He calls your name, and watch as new life blossoms where death once reigned.
Imagine for a moment Mary Magdalene, weeping in a garden, her vision blurred by tears. She looks up and sees a figure, but doesn't recognize Him. "Supposing Him to be the gardener," the Gospel of John tells us. This simple misidentification carries mountains of meaning, encapsulating the entire narrative of Scripture.
From Genesis to Revelation, we see a God who tends to His creation with the care of a master gardener. In Eden, He placed the first humans and asked them to work and keep the garden. But through disobedience, they introduced death into a world teeming with life. The curse of sin spread like weeds, choking out the beauty and abundance God intended.
Yet even in this fallen world, God didn't abandon His creation. Instead, He set in motion a plan of redemption that would culminate in Jesus Christ – the new Adam, the true Gardener who would restore what was lost.
The parallels between Adam and Jesus are striking, but in reverse. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded:
1. Temptation: Adam, surrounded by abundance in Eden, gave in to temptation. Jesus, alone and hungry in the wilderness, stood firm against the devil's offers, clinging to God's word.
2. Obedience: Adam chose autonomy over trust, bringing curse upon creation. Jesus remained obedient to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross, bringing blessing and redemption.
3. Presence: Adam and Eve hid from God in shame. Jesus reveals Himself, making God's presence known again and calling us by name.
4. Life and Death: Adam brought death into a living world. Jesus brings life into a dying one, conquering sin and death through His resurrection.
This reversal is beautifully illustrated in the garden scene with Mary Magdalene. Where once humanity hid from God, now we see humanity seeking Him. Mary's grief and confusion mirror our own longings and questions. "Where is God?" we often cry out in our pain and disorientation.
But God is not absent. He is not hidden. We just do not always recognize Him.
When Jesus speaks Mary's name, everything changes. He doesn't just call her by the Romanized version of her name, but by her true Hebrew name – Miriam. In doing so, He speaks to her deepest identity, reminding her of who she truly is in God's eyes.
This moment of recognition is more than just a touching reunion. It's a picture of resurrection spoken directly to the soul. Jesus is doing the same for each of us. He calls us by our true names – not the labels the world has given us, not the shame or regret we carry, but the name known and loved by God from the beginning.
We, like Mary, are living under the false empire of sin and death. We've been called by names that are not really ours – sinner, shameful, angry, addict. But those are not our true identities. When Jesus the Gardener calls our name, He's reminding us: "You are not from here. You were not made for this place. That is not your real name, and sin is not your real king."
The invitation is clear: Will you answer when He calls your name?
Some of us need to respond for the first time, recognizing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Others have already said yes, but still struggle with lingering darkness and brokenness. The beautiful truth is that our God is a gardener, and a gardener's work is never done. Season after season, He keeps planting, pruning, and nurturing.
He's willing to pull the weeds choking out life in your soul. He's ready to prune the dead branches of sin and addiction that drain your vitality. But will you let Him? Will you trust the sometimes painful process of growth and change?
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5: "For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. The life Jesus brings is not just a far-off eternal promise, but a present reality that can transform every aspect of our existence – our relationships, our minds, our bodies, our workplaces. It's a life that invades dead places and spreads abundance.
Today, you have a choice. Will you hide like Adam and Eve, covering yourself in fig leaves of shame and self-protection? Or will you step out in courage, responding to the gentle whisper of your true name?
The Gardener is calling. He sees the weeds surrounding you, the things sucking life from your soil. He wants to uproot them, to create space for new growth. It may feel scary to let go of the familiar, even if it's harmful. But Jesus promises: "If you let me pull the weeds, you have me. You have the Gardener."
Take a moment now to listen. What name is He calling you? What areas of your life need His tender care and pruning touch? Don't be afraid to look stupid or uncertain. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply take one step forward, even if we don't fully understand.
Remember, there's no magic in religious rituals or spaces. The power lies in our willingness to move towards God, to physically embody our spiritual commitment. Whether it's kneeling at an altar or bowing your head right where you are, choose to respond.
Death has no hold on you. You belong to the living King, Jesus. He's doing a work right now, speaking to hearts, bringing forth hidden things to be washed away. Trust the process. Lean into whatever He's stirring within you – emotions, memories, scriptures coming to mind.
If you've never made Jesus Lord of your life, today can be the day. It's not about having all the answers, but about offering your life in trust. Repent of your old ways and ask Him to make you a new creation.
This is just the beginning of a journey. The Gardener isn't finished with any of us. But take heart – His burden is easy, and His yoke is light. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
So step into the garden. Let the Master Gardener tend to your soul. Answer when He calls your name, and watch as new life blossoms where death once reigned.