Today’s Text:
John 19:38-42
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
Luke 24:2-6
2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen!
THREE GARDEN EXPERIENCES:
1.
Genesis 3:17, 23
17Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.
23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
THREE GARDEN EXPERIENCES:
2.
Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Isaiah 52:14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness…
THREE GARDEN EXPERIENCES:
3.
John 19:41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WE GO BACK TO THE GARDEN?
1. To choose when feeling
Hebrews 5:7-8 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. 8 Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered 9 and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.
John 12:27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Joshua 24:14-15 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WE GO BACK TO THE GARDEN?
2. To surrender both our
2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WE GO BACK TO THE GARDEN?
3. To prepare for what is
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Luke 12:40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WE GO BACK TO THE GARDEN?
4. To be able to
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WE GO BACK TO THE GARDEN?
5. To live in
1 John 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Mark 15:37-38 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Conclusion:
All you have to do today is tell the Lord, take me deeper into Your glory!
We do that by going back to the garden, where the heart of Jesus is!