Two gardens

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. — Genesis 2:8

Two gardens are mentioned prominently in the Bible: the garden of Eden and the garden of Gethsemane. God placed the first man, Adam, in the garden of Eden; Jesus went into Gethsemane to restore what the first man had lost.

The first Adam sinned in the garden; the last Adam took this sin upon Himself. The garden of Eden had the tree of life, which man could have enjoyed forever had he not broken fellowship with God. The garden of Gethsemane was a step toward the tree of death (Acts 5:30; 1 Peter 2:24). By Adam’s transgression, he forfeited his right to the tree of life and brought death to all mankind. He who hung on the tree of Calvary conquered death and by His glorious resurrection restored the tree of life to all who believe.

The garden where Adam fell is gone from the earth, but there is a glad day coming when He who suffered alone in Gethsemane will restore all things. The curse will be lifted from the earth, the animals will again be docile (Isa. 11:6-8), the deserts will disappear (Isa. 35:6), the earth will yield her increase abundantly (Amos 9:13), and Jesus will be here personally to bless His people (Rev. 21:3).

What Adam lost, Jesus will restore. — M. R. De Haan, M.D.

Adam was God’s first man in creation —

He through sin brought death to all mankind;

Jesus came to earth to bring salvation:

Trusting Him, eternal life we’ll find. — Hess

READ: John 18:1-11

God formed us; sin deformed us; Christ transforms us.

The Bible in one year:

• 2 Samuel 1-2

• Luke 14:1-24