Gardens

Gardens

Knowing everything that would happen to him, Jesus went out and asked, “Who is it you are looking for?” They answered, “Jesus from Nazareth.” “I am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, the one who turned against Jesus, was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they moved back and fell to the ground. Jesus asked them again, “Who is it you are looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “So if you are looking for me, let the others go.” (John 18:4-8)

My grandmother taught me a lesson early on in life: don’t make a wreck of the garden. You can play ball in the front yard; you can have races ‘round the acreage in back; you can even build a fort in the tree. But the garden? Leave it alone.

It was a small garden, about the size of a walk-in closet, and she didn’t grow anything exotic, except maybe for some mint that we’d soak in our summer tea. Though the vegetables were tasty, she didn’t need to grow them; she could’ve bought them at the market. So why did Nana insist on having a garden?

Simple. She loved to see life. And her garden was a place full of life, a place where buds exploded and plants pushed back the soil. A place of turnips and tulips and tomatoes. A place worthy of love and protection because flowers are fragile. Plants are precious. So yank the weeds and scatter the critters, she’d say. Put up a fence. Grow a hedge. Even make a scarecrow if you’d like. But, “Randy, whatever you do, don’t go trampling around in the garden.”

I hate to think that I’ve got anything in common with the devil, but I guess I do. Because Satan learned the same lesson: don’t mess with a garden — especially a garden that belongs to God.

The Bible, in some ways, is the story of two gardens: Eden and Gethsemane. In the first, Adam took a fall. In the second, Jesus took a stand. In the first, God sought Adam. In the second, Jesus sought God. In Eden, Adam hid from God. In Gethsemane, Jesus emerged from the tomb. In Eden, Satan led Adam to a tree that led to his death. From Gethsemane, Jesus went to a tree that led to our life.

Satan was never invited into the Garden of Eden. He didn’t belong there. He wasn’t wanted there. Instead, he slithered like a snake into God’s garden and infected God’s children. That’s all he’s done ever since. And hasn’t he entered a few of your holy gardens?

For instance, we call it “holy matrimony,” where the word “altar” implies the presence of God. Marriage was God’s idea. The first wedding occurred in the first garden. But that doesn’t make any difference to the devil. He snakes his way into every home with one desire — to destroy. Sexual intimacy is God’s gift. Marriage is like a rose plucked from the garden, given by God and intended to be shared with your forever partner. But Satan mocks that kind of loyalty. He’s the father of incest and abuse. He’s the author of immorality. He’s the pimp of the garden.

We give sacred oaths and make solemn promises. We vow to be a good parent, a true companion, and a loyal friend. But Satan’s head turns when he hears a pledge. “We’ll see about that,” the father of lies smirks.

In God’s eyes, a child is holy. The innocence of youth; the freshness of childhood; the joy of an infant. There was never a moment when Jesus turned away a child. But there’s never been a child Satan didn’t despise. He killed babies in an attempt to kill Moses. He destroyed infants to destroy the Christ. And his tactics haven’t changed. Millions of babies are still aborted, and an equal number of children are abused and trafficked. Jesus said of Satan, “He was a murderer from the beginning.” (John 8:44)

So, is there a realm untouched by Satan? Is there a place unscarred by his sword? The church, perhaps? The government? Not likely. Children? We hope. Purity? We pray.

And you? And me? We are called to be holy. We were made to be holy – set apart for his good work. We are the prized flowers of the garden. But is there one person among us who hasn’t felt the foot of the intruder? What Satan did in Eden, he still does today. For that reason we need to know that what Jesus did in Gethsemane, he still does today. He reclaims the holy. He will not sit silent while Satan strip-mines the sacred. At the right moment Jesus stands and speaks. And when he stands and speaks, Satan stumbles and is speechless. That’s exactly what happened in Gethsemane.

John tells us that “Judas came there with a group of soldiers and some guards from the leading priests and Pharisees.” (John 18:3) A bit of study reveals that Satan had masterminded a coup d’état. He’d enlisted the muscle of each significant force in the drama — the Romans, the Jews and the apostles.

First he had a “group of soldiers.” The Greek word is speira, and it has three possible meanings. It can signify a Roman cohort of 300 men. It can refer to a cavalry and infantry totaling 1,900 soldiers. Or, it can describe a detachment known as a maniple, which contained 200 men. Amazing. I always had the impression that only a handful of soldiers arrested Jesus. But I was wrong. At a minimum there were two hundred soldiers dispatched to deal with a carpenter and his eleven friends.

Also present were “some guards.” These guys were the temple police. They were assigned to guard the holiest place during the busiest time of the year. They were probably among Israel’s finest. Yesterday’s version of Seal Team 6.

And then there was Judas. One of the inner circle. Not only had Satan recruited the Romans and the Jews, he’d infiltrated the cabinet. Hell must have been rejoicing. There was no way Jesus could escape. Satan had sealed every exit. His lieutenants anticipated every move, except one.

Jesus had no desire to run. He had no intent of trying to escape. He hadn’t come to the garden to retreat. What they found among the trees was no coward; what they found was a conqueror. And note the dialogue that ensued: “Knowing everything that would happen to him, Jesus went out and asked, ‘Who is it you are looking for?’ They answered, ‘Jesus from Nazareth.’ ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (Judas, the one who turned against Jesus, was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they moved back and fell to the ground. Jesus asked them again, ‘Who is it you are looking for?’ They said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ ‘I told you that I am he,’ Jesus said. ‘So if you are looking for me, let the others go.’” (John 18:4-8)

Remarkable. They stand only a few feet from his face and don’t even recognize him. Not even Judas realized who stood before them. What a truth. Apparently, seeing Jesus is more than a matter of the eyes; it’s a matter of the heart. The enemy is next to Jesus and doesn’t even realize it, and so he reveals himself. “I am he.” His voice flicks the first domino, and down they all fall. Were the moment not so solemn it would be almost comic. These are the best soldiers with Satan’s finest plan. Yet, one word from Jesus and they all fall down. The Roman guard becomes the Keystone Cops. The Temple thugs turn into Humpty-Dumpty. Two hundred fighting men, and more, collapse into a noisy pile of shields, swords and lamps. Don’t miss the symbolism here: When Jesus speaks, Satan falls.

It doesn’t matter who the evil one has recruited. It doesn’t matter if he has infiltrated the government. It doesn’t matter if he has seduced the temple. It doesn’t matter if he has enlisted one of the original, handpicked apostles. The best that Satan has melts like wax in the presence of Christ. And Jesus has to ask them again whom they seek. “Who are you after?” When they answer that they’re looking for Jesus of Nazareth, he tells them, “So if you are looking for me, let the others go.”

Did you catch that? Jesus commanding them. A Jew instructing a Roman? A renegade directing the temple guard? So, we turn to the commander, expecting a reply. We look at Judas, awaiting his response. We listen, expecting someone to announce, “You’re not the one in charge here, Nazarene! We’ll take whoever we want.” But not only are they silent, they’re obedient – the apostles are set free.

Many players appear on the stage in Gethsemane. Judas and his betrayal. Peter and his sword. The disciples and their fears. The soldiers and their weapons. And though these are crucial, they aren’t instrumental. The encounter is not between Jesus and the soldiers; it’s between God and Satan. Satan dares to enter yet another garden, but God stands and Satan hasn’t a prayer.

Don’t miss the message: Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. (Eph. 6:12) And, The Son of God came for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:8)

Don’t miss the promises, either: Satan falls in the presence of Christ. One word from his lips, and the finest army in the world collapsed. Satan is silent in the proclamation of Christ. Not once did the enemy speak without Jesus’ invitation. Before Christ, Satan has nothing to say. Satan is powerless against the protection of Christ. “I have not lost any of the ones you gave me.” (John 18:9) When Jesus says he’ll keep you safe, he means it. Hell will have to get through him to get to you. Jesus is able to protect you. When he says he’ll get you home, he will get you home.

Has Satan invaded a garden of your life? Has he profaned a holy part of your world? Your marriage? Your peace? Your joy? Has he taken away from you a rose that God gave you? If so, let Jesus claim it back. Today. Now. Satan has no authority over you. If he has invaded a garden of your life, then invite Jesus to reclaim it. Open the gate to God. He will enter and do what he did at Gethsemane. He will pray, and he will protect. Why don’t you do that? Don’t know how? It’s easy. I’ll help you. Let’s pray. You and me. I’ll show you the way, and then you can fill in the blanks.

Precious Father, I praise your name. You have reclaimed so much in my life. I was lost, and you found me. I was confused, and you guided me. I had nothing to offer, but still you loved me. I confess that I still need help. I have a part of my life that needs your touch. Satan is battling for a garden in my heart. Don’t let him win. Drive him out. He’s a liar and has been since the beginning. Please defeat him. I’ll give you the glory. And Father, here is the area where I need your strength ….

And this is the place where I’ll step out to leave you and God in the garden to talk over the details.

Grace,

Randy