10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
John 20
A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul. ~Author Unknown
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
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
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
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
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
- Words and Music by Charles Austin Miles, 1913
Miles gave the background to this beautiful hymn in his own words:
Quote:"I read the story of the greatest morn in history. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet very dark, unto the sepulcher. Instantly, completely, there unfolded in my mind the scenes of the garden, where out of the mists comes a form, halting, hesitating, tearful, seeking, turning from side to side in bewildering amazement."Falteringly, bearing grief in every accent, with tear-dimmed eyes, she whispers, 'If Thou has borne Him hence.'"He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing. He said to her "Mary!""Just one word and forgotten are the heartaches, the long dreary hours, all the past blotted out in His presence."End of Quote.
Miles recounts a vivid vision of Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb at daybreak. While reading John chapter 20, he recalls seeing all this unfold against his wall. He saw Mary's despair then her joy as she recognized the gardener as Jesus. He recalls awakening and quickly writing the poem. That evening he wrote the music. The first account is given through Mary's eyes and are written in the first two verses as she comes to the garden "while the dew is still on the roses." Afterwards she rejoiced to recognize the voice belonging to her risen Lord. Lastly, she talks about Jesus 's command to go tell what she had seen in the last verse.
This was my Dad's favorite hymn. The hymn has given comfort to many people. And it gave him comfort that God was always walking with him. Listening to every word he said with understanding. Then Christ's words would return to him so soft and low to soothe his weary soul.
I hold a fondness for this song also. In the song it talks of Him talking with you. I am sure he talks with me. But I have to silence my soul to hear Him. May, Lord, I hear you speak to my heart as you did Mary Magedline and my father. Reveal yourself to me.
by
Lance Gargus
Books:Christianity,Bible,Jesus,Angels,Soul,God,
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12 comments:
I feel the peace of the hymn, the peace of the holiday, the peace of the moment. And the Lord's peace, as well. He's here in the words, between the lines and in our hearts.
I love faith for that reason.
I find it to be such a relief to hand over burdens of the world to Him, as nothing weighs him down. And I thank Him that I can do so and move on in life.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Lance. Thanks for the visit.
My mother also likes this song very much and has requested that it be sung at her funeral.
Personally, I have never been a big fan of this song because of what it says...
"And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known"
When taken in context with the story behind the song, it makes sense. But without knowing the story (as most people do not) it always sounded rather narcissistic to me. It always sounded to me like the song was imparting the fact that the joy of knowing Jesus (and being known by him), was something that only one person could know (presumably the person singing the song).
Unfortunately, I have encountered many people who feel that way - that Christ is just for them. No, they do not actually come out and say it, but that is how they live and act toward so many others - as if their relationship with Jesus is something that is just for them and no one else.
Jesus died for every last one of us, not just for you, not just for me, not just for the elect. He died for EVERYONE.
So if it were up to me, I would change that last line to read...
"For the joy we share, as we tarry there - is not just for me alone."
Be assured that I know what Karl was referring unto. For I have also met people who act like having a relationship with Christ is quite exclusive.
Nonetheless: the point that needs to be made is that we can take our relationship with Him very personally. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that He would have went through all that He has just for me!!!
Now, as for the song: "In The Garden" was a favorite of my parents, as well; and echoes of Elvis' rendition coming out of the speakers of our Magnavox on high still make their rounds in my mind. Such thoughts are good to have.
I tried to listen to it but I got a message saying that it has been removed.
In the Garden has always been my favorite. Funny it's used a lot at funerals...but I think of it as a hymn of life not death.
Mississppi Men might make 25 cents a day at a saw mill Before sunup after sundown
And spent more time at home with their families. The Man loved the woman No TV
Thats why 10 or 15 kids happened. That T model new was 200 dollars and Henry spent
98 making it. He became a Billionaire on a $200 car.
Now Mississippi wiped Poplar Springs off the map to bring in TOYOTA MISSISSIPI
and they removed the last traces of where My Great Grandfather pastored. Oh Well..
Back then Railroads Ruled and they ripped the tracks out in Walnut this year.
Casey Jones train wreck site in Vaughan Mississippi has ovefflowing dumpsters 107 years
after the train wreck the world talked about. Who would have thought?.
Robin
hey lance, i got a new post. hope yea enjoyy
I know that hymm. My two favorites are: It is Well with My Soul, and Oh Come Emannuel. I've never researched the writing. Interesting.
As usual, you made me think. I always liked that Jesus revealed himself to Mary first, not the disciples. I wonder if it was because she had more faith. I wonder if it was because she did not desert him. For some reason, her heart was ready to accept the miracle. I believe it was because her sin had been so great that her forgiveness and love for her forgiver gave her that ability. And I don't subscribe to any of that DaVinci Code nonsense. She was a good servant and a good follower of Christ. Often those who are deepest in sin and farthest from the reaches of social graces are the ones who understand true grace.
This is the Jesus I love.
Your blog always cheers me up! You came to this world to bring peace to people and your family sure is so proud of you :) So..Merry X-mas Lance! For you and your family. I wish you a long and happy life! :)
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Lance.
hi, lance! hope you had a merry christmas. (((HUGS)))
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