Cairo: Jesus in Egypt & God's Unusual Leaning
God seldom gives us all we need to understand, but He always gives us what we need in order to obey. The story of Jesus in Egypt as a boy offers a...
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Aug 23, 2022 2:06:00 PM
Two gardens in the Bible, Eden and Gethsemane, provided the settings for two choices that brought opposite results. The Bible wildly contrasts these choices. In fact, you face them today.
(Photo: The Garden of Gethsemane. Notice the city walls in the distance. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
In the Garden of Eden, Adam’s choice to sin had the potential of bringing condemnation to everyone. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ’s decision to die for sins provided potential justification to everyone (Romans 5:18).
Adam never would have eaten the fruit had he known the consequences to himself and his race. But he couldn’t see the results.
All he had was God’s Word and its warning. That’s all we have as well.
I’ve never been to the Garden of Eden, but I have seen Gethsemane many times. I’ll never forget standing in the garden for the first time. A stunning insight occurred when I turned around and saw the walls of Jerusalem so close behind Gethsemane. Jesus easily could have seen the soldiers coming to arrest Him. In fact, He said, “Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:46).
He could see those who would lead Him to death approaching, but still, He chose to stay in the garden out of obedience to the Father—and out of love for us.
(Photo: The Church of all Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane has a mosaic facade of Jesus praying)
Every day, we walk in the gardens of decision. The two choices in these two gardens in the Bible give us pause to consider our own decisions today:
Our choices today make a huge difference. When a man named Mordecai Ham shared the good news of Jesus to a young boy one day, he had no idea the good that would result. Not many people know Ham’s name, but through his simple faithfulness, God converted Billy Graham. And through Graham—millions.
Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed. Only He knows the potential inside our decisions.
We have to decide moment by moment to fight the good fight and choose the long-term benefits that faithfulness offers.
We have two gardens as proof that faithfulness is worth it.
Tell me what you think: Why do you think there is such tension in our hearts over these two choices—when we know the outcomes? To leave a comment, just click here.
This post is adapted from Wayne’s book, Going Places with God: A Devotional Journey Through the Lands of the Bible.
• These 90 devotional readings, each based on a specific place in the lands of the Bible, will help you apply the truths of God’s Word to your daily journey of faith.
• You’ll enjoy pertinent Scripture, inspirational quotes, photographs, maps, and a daily prayer.
After going places with God, you’ll never be the same.
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