When our Lord entered the garden outside of Jerusalem, the Garden called Gethsemane, one’s mind is immediately reminded of another garden, the Garden of Eden. The contrasts between the two are most striking, indeed.

In Eden, all was delightful and perfect.

In Gethsemane, all was dark and foreboding.

In Eden, Adam and Eve spoke with an enemy.

In Gethsemane, Jesus sought his Father in prayer.

In Eden, Adam sinned.

In Gethsemane, our Savior suffered.

In Eden, Adam fell.

In Gethsemane, our Lord stood forth.

The conflict of Eden took place in the day.

The conflict in Gethsemane took place at night.

In the one, Adam fell before Satan.

In the other, the soldiers fell before Christ.

In Eden, the race was lost that was to be in Adam.

In Gethsemane, Christ lost none which God gave him (John 18:9).

In Eden, Adam took the proffered fruit from Eve.

In Gethsemane, our Lord received the cup from his Father’s hand.

In Eden, Adam hid himself.

In Gethsemane, Christ boldly showed himself. In Eden, God sought Adam.

In Gethsemane, Jesus sought God. From Eden, Adam was driven.

From Gethsemane, Christ was led.

In Eden, the sword was drawn (Genesis 3:24).

In Gethsemane, the sword was sheathed (John 18:11).

These contrasts are so wonderfully shown in scripture, and are a picture of the first and the last Adam, purposefully to show us failure and triumph. We were dead in Adam and are now alive in Christ!

– George Eldridge

 

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