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The Garden: Beauty and Betrayal
Rod ShimabukuroJohn 18:2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
In the garden, the place of prayer, fellowship, discipleship is where Jesus is betrayed and arrested. This same garden where Jesus and His disciples often gathered, is the place he and HIs disciples would be separated. The place that once promoted unity, now becomes a place of dispersion. A place that seemed to promote, cultivate peace, becomes a place of unrest and conflict.
I see my “garden” as a place where I’ve gathered Christians to disciple, meet with to encourage and equip. Yet there have been situations and people who “I thought” would not speak ill or come against my leadership. For different reasons I felt unwarranted, I’ve been blacklisted. There weren’t torches and beatings, but emotionally, I’ve been hurt through betrayal.
I am so grateful for the kind graces of the Lord, filling my heart with understanding, discernment and forgiveness towards those who I’ve felt wrongfully treated me. The little pains, have been used of God to teach me lessons about my own sinfulness. My wrong attitudes have resulted in repentance, and lessons of grace to those who I’ve felt betrayed by.
WOW God! Thanks for this garden metaphor - which helps me to further evaluate my heart. Thank You for Your very kind patience and love - Your grace and faithful forgiveness of my sinful attitudes, thoughts and behaviors. I Love You Jesus!
