EASTER:
THREE GARDENS
TEXT: Genesis 2:8-9; Matthew 26:36; John 19:41
INTRODUCTION: What is a garden? It can be a place of life, a place where flowers, plants, and vegetables push back the soil and come alive. We protect our gardens with fences to keep the animals out. We pull the weeds to keep them from choking what we have planted.
We tell our kids to stay out of the garden. Satan learned the same lesson: Don’t mess around with a garden – especially a garden that belongs to the Father.
The Bible is a story about gardens.
In one Adam took a fall. In another Jesus took a stand.
In one God sought Adam. In another, Jesus sought God.
In one Adam hid from God. In another, Jesus emerged from the tomb.
In one Satan led Adam to a tree that led to his death. In another, Jesus went to a tree that led to our life.
This morning I want us to look at three gardens.
I. THE GARDEN OF EDEN
Genesis 2:8-9
You may be wondering, what are you doing in Genesis? I thought this was Easter. Why aren’t we looking in the Gospels for the account of Jesus’ resurrection? We will in a little while.
First we must look at the reason for the resurrection and the reason is found in Genesis 3:1-5.
A. It Was A Garden Of Deception
Subtle = Cunning, Deceptive.
Satan is a liar!
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
He is the father of all lies and it all started in the Garden of Eden.
2 Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Satan is subtle, deceptive. As this verse says Satan takes the simplicity that is in the salvation provided by Christ and twists it into something it is not. He makes salvation hard.
Then he deceives Christians and non-Christians alike by making us think that we can’t be happy living the Christian life. You will be board. You can’t have any fun.
Yeah…that’s what will happen. You will no longer want to have a blast by getting drunk and making a complete fool of yourself, saying and doing things that you will regret, getting into fights, waking up with a head twice the size and pounding like a bass drum. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and taking your life and those in your car and on the road into your hands.
Wow! I had forgotten just how “fun” those days were.
Satan says Jesus was lying when He said; John 10:10 I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
He deceives us into thinking that God will not take care of us, that we’re not important to Him. He says God is lying when He says; Philip. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
He deceives us into thinking that we can love the world and love God at the same time;
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
He deceives us into thinking that we can get away with sin; Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
But not only was it a garden of deception.
B. It Was A Garden Of Decision
Genesis 2:15-17
Adam was created with the capacity to choose to love God and obey Him or not to, he was not a robot. God said you may eat from any tree but this one. Adam made a deliberate choice to disobey God.
1 Tim. 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Adam knew exactly what he was doing! He chose to disobey!
God gives us all the choice to serve God or not. And by choosing not, you automatically choose to serve Satan.
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Notice it says whom you will serve, not if you will serve. You are either serving the true God or the god’s of this world. Which is anything you put before the true God. Work, material possessions, popularity, sex, drugs, alcohol, husband, wife or kids. Anything that comes before the true God becomes your false god.
But just like Adam, you get to choose. But oh the consequences of the wrong choice!
C. It Was A Garden Of Disobedience
Gen. 3:6
It really wasn’t the fruit that was bad, it was the disobedience.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
We have a nation full of disobedient children who learned it from their parents! We won’t obey God laws! We know more than God! It’s the 2000’s. Our nation is crumbling right before or eyes and it’s all because of disobedience to God’s moral laws!
God calls us to obey! He didn’t give us the Ten Suggestions! And He didn’t date them!
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Again you get to choose. God or Satan.
It was a garden of deception, decision, disobedience.
D. It Was A Garden Of Death
Gen. 5:5
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
According to an old legend, a man made an agreement with Death. The man said he would be willing to go when Death called, provided Death would agree to send a messenger well in advance to warn him. Death nodded in agreement.
Months and years passed. Then one bitter evening, Death suddenly appeared and tapped him on the shoulder.
In frightful despair the man cried, “It’s you! You are here to soon. You haven’t kept your part of the bargain.”
Death leaned over and whispered, “I have more than kept my part. I have sent you, not just one, but many messengers. Look in the mirror, and you will see all of them.”
The man looked gazing long and deep, for the last time. Death continued, “Look at your hair. Once it was black, but now it is thinned white. See how you turn your head to hear my voice. You cannot hear as well as you once did.
And how closely you peer into the glass to behold yourself, for your eyes have lost their clearness. How lined is you face. And your form is so bent. These have been my messengers, but you have been too busy with things to pay attention.
I have more than kept my part of the bargain. Now you must keep yours. The time has come for you to leave.”
We will all keep this appointment with death. Only he may not be so kind to send warning. People die at all ages and in all ways.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
It is because of what happened in the Garden of Eden that made these next two gardens necessary.
II. THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
Now turn to Matthew 26:36 John 18:1 tells us that this was a garden; John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
A. It Was A Garden Of Beseeching
Verses 37-38
Jesus agonized in prayer; Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Was Jesus afraid to die? Is that why He was in such agony? No, Jesus wasn’t afraid to die. Many have faced death bravely. Then why was He in such agony? Because He was the Holy God about to become sin for us.
2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
He asked the Father if there was any other way to pay for sin then let this cup pass from Him. He also knew that the Father would forsake Him while He was paying for our sins. He was beseeching the Father for some other way. But He knew there wasn’t one.
B. It Was A Garden Of Brokeness
Mat. 26:39
Jesus was about to become something He despised, sin. He didn’t want to become something so vile but He was willing to put His will aside for the Father’s will. He had a broken spirit. A spirit willing to do anything the Father asked regardless of what He may want.
When Jesus was to offer Himself as king we read in; Mark 11:2
And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
Mark 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
Ever try to get on a donkey that wasn’t broken? Jesus tamed him with no problem. Why do we give Him such a hard time? We’re like a stubborn mule. We kick, and buck when the Lord want’s our wills broken.
That donkey was smarter than most of us. He obeyed God’s will.
And sadly, many people will die and go to hell because they were not willing to let God have His will.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God’s will is that you come to know Him as your Savior. But He won’t make you, you must come willingly.
C. It Was A Garden Of Betrayal
Matt. 26:47-49
John 18:1-6
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. [2] And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. [3] Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. [4] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? [5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. [6] As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
It was not by accident that Jesus went into the garden, nor that Judas found Him there. Vs. 4 tells us that Jesus knew “all things that should come upon Him.” He knew that He would be betrayed by Judas that night and that Judas would lead the soldiers to make the arrest.
In fact, He didn’t make them look for Him, He went to them. On other occasions when they had attempted to arrest Him, He had always escaped out of their hands. This time they came with lanterns, and torches and weapons, indicating that they were determined to take Him.
But they didn’t need a multitude of soldiers and officers, they didn’t need the lanterns, torches, or weapons. They didn’t need to search for Him. He was waiting for them and He voluntarily surrendered to them because His hour had come. Otherwise, they could not have laid hands on him.
John vs. 5-6. “I AM.” God spoke one day and the world came into existence! It isn’t hard to believe that when Jesus declared “I Am,” the power of the word flattened a multitude of armed men.
For the last time before His crucifixion, Jesus exercised the divine power He had used on so many other occasions. The same power with which He calmed the waves and stilled the mighty wind. He spoke a word and the sick were healed, the dead came forth from the grave.
He spoke a word and demons came out of men and women. He spoke a word and the blind received sight and lepers were made whole.
I believe that in performing this miracle He showed His disciples, and His enemies, that He was surrendering to be crucified. He was going to lay His life down; He was not going to die because He was being overpowered, taken by force, and could not prevent His death.
He was going to the cross willingly, to suffer and pay the sin debt. And He was crucified.
Mark 15:16-22
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. [17] And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, [18] And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! [19] And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. [20] And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. [21] And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. [22] And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
In the O. T lambs were brought to be sacrificed at Passover. If you are not familiar with this maybe you have seen The Ten Commandments. Remember the part where the Jews put blood on the door post of their house, and whoever did not have the blood on the door, the first-born would die?
Well Jesus is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. His blood will wash away your sins. Have you ever wondered what Simon the man who was made to carry the cross of Christ, thought as he was drawn into this drama, what must have been going through his mind as he was thrust into one of the most important events the world had ever known?
Try to imagine what you would feel like if you were Simon. Maybe something like this. (Watch The Lamb.)
They took Jesus, the Lamb of God off the cross and laid Him in a tomb. Which brings us to;
III. THE GARDEN TOMB
John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
A. It Was A Garden Of Remembering
Jesus had told them many times the He would be crucified and rise again but the disciples didn’t understand. They didn’t remember. When Peter and John were at the tomb we read.
John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
They didn’t remember until now.
B. It Was A Garden Of A Rolled Away Stone
Mark 16:2-4 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. [3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? [4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
The Stone that laid over the door of the tomb was a huge stone; it probably weighed several thousand pounds. Matthew 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
When Lazarus was called from the tomb, human hands removed the stone from the door of his tomb, as Jesus commanded them; but the stone from the tomb of Jesus was removed by heavenly hands, by order of Almighty God.
The stone was not rolled away for Jesus to get out, it was rolled away so others could get in. So they could see that Jesus was not there.
C. It Was A Garden Of Resurrection
Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
This is the key to our salvation! This is what Easter is all about! Without the resurrection we are like other religions who serve dead people such as Budah and Mohomad.
And we would still be in our sins.
1 Cor. 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
You must believe in the resurrection to be saved.
1 Cor. 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
And because He was resurrected we will be also.
1 Cor. 15:51-55
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
CONCLUSION: Edith Burns. “Do You Believe In Easter?”
My question to you today is the same. Do you believe in Easter?
