Can we go back to the Garden?
By Pastor Don Squires, Temple Free Will Baptist Church, Darlington
Luke 23:32-39: Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Jesus was dying on the cross for one reason and one reason only, to take back and restore what was lost by Adam’s sin in the Garden. We all lost our membership to the Garden Club due to the sin of Adam and Eve. We lost our paradise privileges of walking and talking with our creator in the Garden. One of the criminals who hung there shouted insults at Jesus: “Aren’t you the Christ? If you are, why don’t you save yourself and us!” The Rulers laughed at him. The Soldiers mocked him. The Criminals insulted him. 1 Peter 2:23: When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. All three of these groups said the same thing: “Save yourself.” That’s what we would do if we were in your position with your power. Thank God, He’s not us! Luke 23: 40-43: But the other rebuked Him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” 43 And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Re-member me – place me back in your membership. Jesus was dying for one reason – to take back and restore what had been lost with Adam. It was posted at the gate of the Garden…. “No People Allowed!” Genesis 3:23-24: “Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Once God told Adam to guard the Garden, tend the Garden and make it flourish. Then because of sin, the Garden was guarded from us. We were all shut out. A no-trespassing sign put up at the gate. Paradise was closed to mankind. We had no hope of a restored relationship to be able to walk in the Garden with Him ever again! Then comes Jesus! Jesus came to restore what Adam had lost. Jesus came to redeem and restore us to the Garden Club — paradise restored! From the cross, He said, “It is finished.” 1 Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Romans 8:1-28: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Jesus has restored our membership to the Garden Club through His shed blood on the Cross of Calvary. Receiving a membership card into the Garden Club is as easy as ABC — ACCEPT, BELIEVE and CONFESS. John 3:16 is your guarantee. Praise God! We can go back to the Garden.