Worship
“Communion” by Maverick City Music
God in The Garden of Eden
“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” -Genesis 3:8, ESV
“They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’”
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’” -John 20:13-16
God in The Garden of Eden
Can you imagine the breeze and the smell of the flowers and the atmosphere of total peace and perfection as the Lord walked with Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall? It was a place created for them to experience the deepest and truest intimacy, without any limitations. It was a place without lack, without sadness, without evil, and without brokenness. Everything was in perfect order until that one moment of regret that changed everything. And so, Adam and Eve hid in their shame and guilt until the Lord came looking for them, fully knowing and fully present.
This was the day desperation entered the human experience.
One of the key phrases that echoed from the character Lonnie Frisbee in the movie “Jesus Revolution” was: “There is power in desperation.” It shaped the whole essence of the movie for me. A generation got desperate, and they didn’t even know what they were desperate for as they searched for God in all the wrong things. But the Lord answered their desperation with Himself, and a whole missionary movement was born in the early 70s. (If you haven’t caught this movie, run to the theaters tonight, and let it sink deep into your heart and spirit!)
Adam and Eve experienced a similar, deep desperation, and yet Jesus was already there in the stillness of that day, not frantic or angry. I love how Scripture describes the moment—when it was all calm and peaceful, He came looking for them and met them in their desperate need to be covered and received.
God in The Garden Tomb
Skip hundreds and hundreds of years and generations and kingdoms, and Mary finds herself in another garden looking for her Jesus—her friend and Savior. He loved her and met her in her greatest longings for Him. Why? Because of His intimacy and the desire to be close to her, to comfort, counsel, and commission her. He could have appeared anywhere and to anyone; but right there at the garden tomb, a place of great victory, He found His Mary and called her name.
The Lord is calling us back to the garden, to the place of intimacy, in the “cool of the day,” where we find tenderness and belonging and provision and His presence. Because of the cross, we don’t have to be covered by fig leaves and animal skins and the sacrifice of bulls and goats. We have the blood of Jesus that made a way to perfect intimacy with Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. We live in a human form, which can mean brokenness and frail humanity unto sanctification, perfection, and glory—dressed in robes of royalty and garments of holiness and righteousness. We also get invited to stand at the garden tomb where our Savior conquered the grave and be commissioned from that place.
“The heartbeat and rhythm of the gospel is God’s desire to be one with us. If we do not start and end with God’s all-consuming desire to be intimate with us, His people, then we are missing the entire point. The true and powerful gospel invites us into constant union with God. It is in this union that we will be swept into the abundant and eternal life, beginning even now.” -Peter Louis, “Back to the Gospel”
Come with me to yet another garden.
The Garden of Gethsemane
In the garden of Gethsemane, before Jesus was arrested, I picture Him on His face, before the Father, interceding for us. Because of the fall and the curse, the sacrifice of His very life was about to change the spiritual reality of every human being who would believe. He would break the curse and fulfill the law all because of love. We now have a way to the Father—the veil that separated us was torn in two.
Read what He prayed for you and for me before He died to make these words a victory and reality:
“’But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” -John 17:13-19, ESV
The Impact of Christ’s Work
The question before you this morning is this: Which garden do you need to meet Jesus in? Is it the original garden, where intimacy was born and fellowship was sweet? Is it the garden of your victory, where sin and death were forever conquered, so you can be reminded of your worth and your freedom and your healing? Do you need to be embraced and commissioned once again? Or, is it on your knees with Jesus in intercession for your protection and sanctification and covering?
All three gardens represent the deepest of intimacy with Jesus! All three carry a different component of the character of God to us, but they are all three wrapped in tender understanding of who we are and the deep chasm of brokenness He is so aware of what we maneuver through. He was there at the fall, and He took the fall for us on the cross. He lives to intercede for us that we would make it to our finish line. As the enemy strikes with craftiness, he doesn’t even seek to hide anymore. Life has thrown profound pain and suffering at each one of us. But today, this day, Jesus is calling you to come to the garden with Him and stay awhile. Sit with Him, and be restored in His presence.
“Let us resolve at once that this will be the one characteristic of our life and worship: a continual, humble, truthful waiting on God. We may rest assured that the One who made us for Himself that He might give Himself to us and in us, will never disappoint us. In waiting on Him we shall find rest and joy and strength and the supply of every need.” -Andrew Murray, “Waiting on God”
As you walk with Him in the cool of the day, let this truth and promise wash over you and bring restoration and rest to your soul.
“‘The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched landand will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail’” -Isaiah 58:11
A few reminders:
- Don’t forget to sign up for the Easter devotional series, kicking off April 1!
Speaking of gardens, Dallas residents, our Knee-Deep in the Garden prayer and worship night is this Sunday! Come posture your heart toward surrender with us on March 26 from 7-9 p.m. at the Hope Center. Learn more through the following video!
- No matter where you reside, you can join us in grabbing a prayer slot to pray for 72 hours, March 27-29!
- There are 10 more spots open to join me in traveling to Israel this August 26-September 2 for a Covenant Tour and your commissioning. The cost is $5,000. Email me for more details. Husbands and wives are welcome! It’s the 75th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation, so it’s a significant year to go!
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