No church I have ever attended on Resurrection Sunday has ever sung the hymn "In the Garden", but C. Austin Miles, author of this hymn, penned it in 1912 after this portion of Scripture. He was so enraptured of Mary's encounter with Jesus - the hope to the hopeless, the rest to the weary, the comfort to the comfortless - that the words began to flow. The hymn is timeless, because it is Scripture set to music.
"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb . . ." "I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. . ." "Woman, he said, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" "And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses."
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary'. She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!" "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."
"Jesus said, . . . go to my brothers and tell them . . . " "I'd stay in the garden with him, tho the night around me be falling. But he bids me go, through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling."
"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."
This is one of the most beautiful hymns of faith and love, so intimite and personal, the story of every one of us when we receive Jesus into our hearts. He walks with us, and talks with us, and calls us His own. Beloved friends, it don't get no better then this !!!!
Read the Scripture passage, put yourself in Mary' sandals, sing this hymn, and take in the fullest joy of the Resurrected Christ. Allow God's Holy Spirit to awaken you anew to the living Christ. Incredible.
Bask in the Resurrection, the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then be like Mary: ". . . went to the discles with the news 'I have seen the Lord!' and she told them the things He had said." It's our turn to spread the gospel. Go !!!!
Precious Lord Jesus, I am in awe that you would so reveal youself to me. Fill me with yourself, that I may share you with my world, that they may know and receive the Living God. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment