Feature Article: Two Gardens; Two Choices

TWO GARDENS; TWO CHOICES

Not much serious business takes place in gardens. While courts and boardrooms host the significant affairs that shape our world, gardens are our escape. They are havens of beauty and relaxation. It seems odd, then, that the two most monumental decisions ever made—affecting all of life on our planet—both happened in gardens. It is here, in these two gardens, that we begin our journey to the heart of Easter.

The first decision was made in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve chose to eat the forbidden fruit, plunging the world into the chaos of sin. The other was made in the Garden of Gethsemane, where God’s answer to our world’s problem began to take shape.

Expecting, as human beings, to fully understand the significance of sin is like expecting a fish to understand that it’s wet. We’ve only ever lived in a world marked by selfishness, deception, cruelty and suffering. The very fact that we all long for something better suggests we were made for a world untouched by sin. And that is the kind of world where Adam and Eve lived.

In the Garden of Eden they enjoyed fellowship with God, a custom-made soulmate, peace, beauty and freedom. There was only one curb on their liberty; they mustn’t eat the fruit of a certain tree. But temptation came and forced them to make a choice . . . would they do what God wanted and continue to enjoy the peace and goodness of life with Him; or would they do what they wanted, setting themselves against God? We all know the answer . . . and the world around us displays the results of their decision.

By eating the fruit, Adam and Eve rejected God’s will. They said, in essence, “Not as You will, but as I will!” They broke faith with God and corrupted the sinless world He had created. And— as so often is the case when we disobey God—they were powerless to mend their shattered world. That would require a Saviour who was untouched by their sin; one who grasped the full tragedy of their disobedience; one who would take the consequences upon Himself to save His people. Jesus.

After the famous Last Supper between Jesus and His disciples, they headed to Gethsemane—the garden where they often relaxed and spent time together. This time was different. Jesus knew.

He knew it was time to do what He had come to do; and the cost would be crushing. He knew that His friend would betray Him to His enemies. He knew He would be falsely accused and utterly humiliated before the watching world. He knew that He would face unimaginable suffering by a particularly humiliating and brutal execution. And He knew that His disciples were going to be left totally confused and devastated. But none of that was the worst part. Jesus knew He would bear the blame, the shame, the guilt and the penalty for the sin of the world.

Come now into the Garden of Gethsemane and watch Jesus face the same choice as Adam and Eve. Like them, He must decide whether to do what He wants or what God wants . . . and the stakes are just as high. As in Eden, temptation came to Jesus in Gethsemane; He could say “no” to God and save Himself. Contemplating the cost of obedience, He cried, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (MATTHEW 26:38).

Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”.

MATTHEW 26:39

How these words must have pealed through the courts of heaven and into the heart of His Father; a clear ringing note of obedient submission. By denying Himself and saying “yes” to God’s will, Jesus was declaring God’s right to rule over His creation, whom He had come to earth to represent. Obeying His Father’s will required Him to lay down His life as an offering for sin in order to bring us

back into fellowship with God (SEE ROMANS 8:3 AND 1 PETER 3:18).

Jesus’ journey to Easter began when He gave up His throne in heaven to come to earth as one of us. He gave up control and lived His entire life in perfect submission to God’s will. His choice in Gethsemane was the final piece of the jigsaw; His ministry had nearly finished but His work had only just begun.