The Most Significant Garden In The World-Gethsemane

There are 3,000 botanical gardens in the world according to Guinness World Records. Eighteen thousand community gardens exist in the US and Canada. The world ‘s largest garden is the Dubai Miracle Garden in United Arab Emirates. The oldest garden in North America is Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, which has survived since its founding in 1728. With all the historical importance these gardens have, they don’t have the spiritual significance of three gardens mentioned in the Bible. It is fitting to talk about these as the season of lent leading up to the resurrection of Jesus is upon us.

The garden of Eden is where Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit out of disobedience to God’s command. Sin came into the world and has been passed down from generation to generation ever since. God cast them out of the garden. However, this made the redemption of humanity necessary.

The garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus prayed prior to his crucifixion. He prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me”(Luke 22:39-46).

Gethsemane is a combination of the Hebrew words “press” and “0il.” Giant wheels were used to put a lot of weight to press out healing oil from olives. When Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane he bore the weight of our sin, and shed healing life-giving blood for our forgiveness.

The garden tomb is where many people believe the actual tomb of our savior was located, and where Jesus rose from the dead. We know there was a garden there because Mary, after she had gone to the tomb on that first day of the week and found the body gone, saw a man standing beside her who she thought was the gardener. However, he was actually our risen Savior! This is recorded in John 20:11-18. What an encounter that must have been from Mary. She did not recognize Jesus for who he really was. The same is true today. Most don’t know the real Jesus. If you are one of those, you can accept him as your savior today.

The season of lent is also the beginning of spring when people are planting gardens. The next time you work and walk in your garden or visit one of the historical gardens, consider reflecting on what Jesus did for you in the garden of Gethsemane and at the garden tomb. Perhaps like Jesus did, you can pray in your garden. If you have a garden, you can make it one of personal significance to you.