In the Garden

"In the Garden"













It was 1912. C. Austin Miles (1868-1946), a former pharmacist who served as editor and manager at Hall-Mack publishers for 37 years, was filled with great awe and wonder on a cold, dreary day. He sat down in a leaky basement in New Jersey that didn't even have a window in it let alone a view of a garden, and composed one of the most beloved hymns ever sung by many performers and church congregations, alike, in the decades to follow. He wrote these words concerning that song:


I read…the story of the greatest morn in history: “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet very dark, unto the sepulcher.” Instantly, completely, there unfolded in my mind the scenes of the garden of Joseph….Out of the mists of the garden comes a form, halting, hesitating, tearful, seeking, turning from side to side in bewildering amazement. Falteringly, bearing grief in every accent, with tear-dimmed eyes, she whispers, “If thou hast borne him hence”… “He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” Just one word from his lips, and forgotten the heartaches, the long dreary hours….all the past blotted out in the presence of the Living Present and the Eternal Future.

You see, C. Austin Miles was deeply moved at the thought of Mary coming to the grave of Jesus on Sunday morning. Her heart was broken. The terrible shock and horror of the crucifixion was still fresh in her mind. No wonder, she thought at first that Jesus was the gardener. She could hardly see through her tear soaked eyes. But then He spoke to her. Just one word and she knew it was Him. All He said was, “Mary”. Just one word and the birds stopped to listen, for this was a familiar voice. This was not the voice of despair or loss. Oh no. Because:

This was the voice of victory.
This was the voice of joy.
This was the voice of hope
This was the voice of majestic power.
This was the voice of good news not bad news.
This was the voice of the Creator and sustainer of the Universe.
This was her loving Lord!

Can you imagine, her joy? To go from such sadness to great joy in the twinkling of an eye? Well, brothers and sisters, it takes the power and love of God to produce that kind of transformation. It is that kind of power and love that created the universe and everything in it in 6 days. It is that kind of power and love that raises the dead, cleanses the lepers, and makes the blind to see. It is that kind of power that can turn a former drug addict or murderer into a preacher or a missionary. That kind of power and love is alive and well in this hurt and fallen world of ours. That kind of power and love is waiting to transform your life and mine. He’s waiting for you today. But you must seek Him. How? Do what Mary did. Look for Him. You’ll find Him “In the Garden”:

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

Have a Blessed Easter!
George