It's Friday....

Today is Good Friday. It’s a day where we can experience freedom because of what Jesus Christ did, the price He paid to set us free from sin and death and shame and, well the list goes on and on…

This morning, as I was reflecting on what this day is all about, my mind went to a passage of Scripture that I had first come across years ago. It comes from John 19:41: “At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” (NIV)

Seems like such a sad verse, until you take a closer look. Count out 7 words and then read what the verse says… “There was a garden…” (NIV) 

In the place where Jesus was laid to rest was a garden.. insignificant you say? I say no. 

What do gardens do? If they are working as they are supposed to, if the seeds are planted right, if the soil is properly maintained, then a garden’s purpose is to grow something. 

For John to have included this in His account of the burial of Jesus is, to me at least, significant. A garden represents new life, and even though Jesus had just been put to death and all hope seemed lost, three days later, He would rise from the dead, kicking death in the teeth. 

on the worst day of the world, when it seemed all hope had been lost, when this Man who had healed so many, when this Man had set captives free, When this Man was laid to rest, it would be in a new tomb in a garden, which represents new life. 

When life isn’t going so well for us, let’s look for the garden. Look for that one small sprout of good; it was there on the worst day of the world, and I’m sure one can be found if we will just look. 

Today is Friday, and Jesus is buried. But….Sunday’s a coming!