Jesus the Resurrected Gardener

Unveiling the Mystery of Jesus as the Gardener

In the Gospel of John, we encounter the enigmatic scene of Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus outside the tomb. The passage reads, “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”” (John 20:11–15, ESV) Her mistaking of Jesus for a gardener sparks curiosity, inviting us to delve into the deeper layers of this symbolism.

Weaving Creation and Re-Creation

John’s Gospel intricately interweaves the themes of creation and re-creation. In the opening lines of the Gospel, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, ESV) The introduction harkens back to the creation account in Genesis. Moreover, the Gospel concludes with a poignant garden scene: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” (John 19:41, ESV) Through this connection, the narrative bridges incarnation, death, and resurrection with the concept of re-creation, highlighting Jesus as the central figure in God’s ongoing creative work.

Unveiling Jesus as the Divine Gardener

This Gospel narrative invites us to a profound resolution: Jesus, through his resurrection, emerges as the Gardener of both physical and spiritual gardens. Jesus’ transformative resurrection is a crescendo of re-creation, as the Apostle Paul affirms, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV) The resurrection signifies a qualitative leap in history, echoing God’s creative power and love, continuously shaping our world’s desire for a renewed future.

Re-Creation’s Call to Action

The motif of light, pivotal in both creation narratives, gains a renewed significance in the Gospel of John. We encounter Jesus as the eternal Word, described as “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5, ESV) His resurrection, marked by the encounter with Mary in the early hours, resonates with the original act of creation. It mirrors the dawn of a new era, reminding us of the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection. This narrative skillfully intertwines Mary’s touching Jesus with Eve’s disobedience, underscoring the materiality of the resurrection and the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.

Embracing Our Role as Co-Gardeners

John’s Gospel reveals Jesus as the Resurrected Gardener and calls us to embrace our role as co-laborers in the ongoing work of re-creation. Jesus’ words resonate, “”Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12, ESV) Just as Jesus completed the works of God, we are invited to participate in this divine endeavor. This gesture solidifies our partnership with God in the continuous renewal of creation.

Conclusion

The Gospel of John’s resurrection account, with Jesus as the Gardener, beckons us to engage in the redemptive work of re-creation. Our anthem of alleluia resonates with the challenge and privilege of being co-gardeners alongside Christ. Our modern world, burdened by decay, yearns for the hope and renewal that Christ’s resurrection embodies. Let us heed the call to embrace our role as custodians of creation, fostering its flourishing even as we await the fullness of God’s re-creative promise. So, let us go forth cultivating joy, hope, and transformation in the garden of our world.

~PW 🌮🛶