A Spring Garden And An Empty Tomb

Many readers will this month be delighting in the joys of spring. The yearly miracle of the renewal of all nature impresses the believing heart with the faithfulness and power of the Creator. In contrast to the dearth of winter, we see the fresh green verdure, the beauty of flower and shrub, causing our spirit to bow in reverence before God. "For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity" (Rom. 1:20). The immense energy involved in spring's upsurge of growth brings to mind Jeremiah's words: "He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom" (10:12).

Outside Jerusalem in the days of Christ was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no body had yet been laid. It was near the place where Jesus was crucified. At that time of year the garden would have felt the great impulse of spring. To use the Lord's words, branches had become tender and were putting forth their leaves. All nature was responding to the Creator's power.

Into that garden Joseph and Nicodemus carried the lifeless body of the Son of God; sorrowing women watched as the body was laid in the new tomb. A great stone was rolled against the tomb's entrance. The women returned home, and in their sadness prepared spices and ointments. Within the tomb, the incorruptible body of the Lord Jesus lay in the silence and coldness of death.

On the first day of the week, at early dawn. the women returned to the

tomb, to find the stone rolled away, and to hear the triumphant announcement: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen". Divine power had moved mightily in the resurrection from the dead of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

His body, sown in weakness, was raised in power. Like the grain of wheat, He had fallen into the earth and died, that He might not abide alone,

but might bear much fruit (John 12:24). The working of the strength of God's might in the resurrection of His beloved Son would betoken His purpose to raise from the dead all who fell asleep in Jesus - they that are Christ's, at His coming (1 Cor. 15:23).

So all the wonder and beauty of spring renews in our hearts the glorious assurance of our Saviour's resurrection, and that of His saints in their turn

- "according to that working of the strength of His might" (Eph. 1:19), according to the working whereby He is able even to subject all things unto Himself' (Phil. 3:21).

But more than this, "for as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations" (Isa. 61:11). Today's world staggers beneath the burden of unrighteousness. Human society is pervaded by departure from righteous principles. Isaiah's description of Israel's moral plight finds striking parallels throughout the nations in 1981: "Judgement is turned away backward, and uprightness standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and righteousness cannot enter. Yea, truth is lacking; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey" (59:14,15).

Scripture shows that there will be continuing and deepening departure from righteous standards until, as in the days of Noah the earth will be seen by God as corrupt and filled with violence. It will take almighty divine power to deal with the situation. At His coming to earth as Son of Man, the Lord Jesus will "send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire" (Matt. 13:41,42). "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (v.43). Their light will derive from the Sun of righteousness who will have arisen with healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2). "The creation... also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21). The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

An empty tomb in a garden in spring symbolizes for all our hearts the glory of our hope in a resurrected and soon-coming Lord Jesus Christ.

"Great Lord, we hail that glorious hour

When He from heaven will come with power,

His throne to take, the earth to dower;

For He must reign"

G. Prasher Sr.

unknown | Apr 1981
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