Heritage Baptist Church, Portland, Maine
Email us
 

Three Gardens

Article By: Pastor Tom Bromwell
 
 
Garden One:

When we begin reading the Word of God in the book of Genesis, we are quickly introduced to God’s original plan and purpose for man. Adam and Eve were created in innocence and placed in a perfect paradise called the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God and with one another but this all changed when they sinned against God. This garden became a garden of sin, regret and separation from God. Their fellowship with God and one another would be renewed through an act of God. God clothed them with coats of skin from the death and shedding of blood of that which was innocent, (more than likely a lamb). Paradise was lost though, as they had to be removed from the garden. God forgave them, protected them, clothed them and restored fellowship with them, even though they had sinned against Him.

Garden Two:

We have inherited the sin nature of Adam and are born in a state of spiritual death and separation from God (Rom.5: 12),but we too can be forgiven, clothed in righteousness, protected and have fellowship restored with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. You see another garden is mentioned in John 18:1. Mark 14: 32-36 names this garden Gethsemane and describes it as a place of agony and sorrow of soul for the Lord Jesus. The Lord was about to be betrayed by Judas in this garden and would soon go to a place called Calvary to suffer, bleed and die for our sins. It is in this second garden that the Lord felt the agony of soul associated with becoming sin for us. He took our sins upon Him (II Cor. 5:21). Just as innocent blood was shed in the first garden, the Lord was now preparing to shed His innocent blood for us. John the Baptist called Him “ the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” In garden one man sinned and in garden two Christ felt the agony of becoming sin.

Garden Three:

Christ died for our sins and would now be buried. His place of burial was a private garden owned by a disciple named Joseph. This is recorded in Matthew 27: 57-60. This private, unnamed garden was no doubt a special place for Joseph and a place that he selected for his own tomb. Joseph was a giving man though, and gave his garden of burial to the Lord. The Lord’s body was placed in this new tomb but the Lord had plans to change this garden of burial into a garden of resurrection. He did just that! He arose!Hallelujah! Christ Arose! Man sinned in garden one, Christ felt the agony of becoming sin in garden two and in garden three, Christ conquered sin by the completion of God’s redemptive work. He is alive and the giver of eternal life! There was a garden of sin, a garden of sorrow, but thank God for this third garden, a garden of salvation!
 
Are you living in a garden of sin? Are you in a place where pleasant things have been removed from your life? Are you separated from God by your sins? Are you living in a garden of agony? Have you refused Christ and in so doing you have chosen to have the agony of sin upon your own soul? Please realize that there is a garden of resurrection for you. Christ rose again and offers new life for you. If you want to know more please read our good news section or please contact us.
     
 
site by allure creative