Buds of New Life

Good morning church! He is not here! He has Risen! He has risen indeed! (Say it with me) He is not here! He has Risen! He has Risen Indeed! Amen... Do you believe that? I mean, do you really believe it? Like, if someone were to ask you tomorrow at work or school, "Why do you seem different?" would you have the courage to say, "Because Jesus is alive"? That is the absolute truth, and today there is no doubt that Jesus has risen and he has risen indeed. It is so good to be able to celebrate Easter together here at the church. You know, it's amazing how much our gatherings have changed over the last 6 months. Looking around at all your faces this morning reminds me of how precious community truly is. I don't know about you, but I never want to take this for granted again. Just being here together... it's a gift. And I'm reminded that wherever Jesus is, there is going to be life. Not just existence, but actual life. Speaking of life, I've been walking and trying to get more steps in lately. Anyone else tracking their steps these days? My Dr. keeps telling me I need to move more, so I've been trying! But as I've been walking, I've been doing something else too. I've been looking for signs of renewed life. Signs of Easter. Signs that remind me of the resurrection. This week, I got to spend a sabbatical day of rest at Glen Eyrie. Anyone been there? It's this amazing place just outside Colorado Springs. And as I was walking around the property, I began to think about all the new signs of spring. The turkeys there were full of gusto and excitement. And the trees were blooming everywhere. But then... I noticed something that just opened up my soul to the thought of new life... (voice softens) I saw this budding tree. Just a simple tree with tiny buds. Nothing spectacular by the world's standards. But in that moment, God used it to speak to my heart. I was reminded of that Scripture in Luke where Jesus says: "When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near." (Luke 21:29) You know what struck me about those blooming buds? They were coming from branches that looked completely dead. If you'd seen that tree in January, you'd have thought, "That thing is done. It's over." But God... God had a different plan. Under that seemingly dead surface, life was stirring. Preparation was happening. Renewal was coming. And isn't that just like Jesus? To bring life from places we've written off as dead?

I believe with all of my heart God led me over to that tree. Not by accident. Not as some random coincidence. He led me there intentionally because He knew that I forget things easily. Anyone else struggle with spiritual amnesia sometimes? God led me to this tree to minister to my soul—to remind me of something so fundamental to our faith: Jesus takes barren things, things that are dead, and He puts buds of new life within them so they can grow. Think about that for a second. The God of the universe cares enough about my spiritual growth that He'd use a simple budding tree to teach me that life can come from dead things. You know, it reminds me of that powerful truth we sing about—how we were once spiritually dead but now have been made alive through Christ. That transformation from death to life isn't just something that happened in the past. It's happening right now, today, in your life and mine. See, I stood there looking at those tiny green buds pushing out from what looked like dead branches, and I thought, "That's me." That's all of us. We were dead in our transgressions and sins. Dead. Not sick. Not struggling. Dead. And there was nothing we could do about it on our own. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love—He makes dead things live. He takes what's barren and breathes His Spirit into it. And suddenly, where there was nothing, there's life sprouting up.

That's the kind of God we serve. And in the midst of this—this perceived death that the tree represents and the challenges we all face in life—I was overwhelmed with remembering that God spoke this tree into existence through His Son, Jesus Christ. The same Word that created everything we see is the same Word that brings dead things back to life. You know what happened? I stood there.., looking at those tiny buds, and my perspective began to completely shift. It was like God whispered to my heart these words: "There are buds of new life happening all around you, and Jesus is the gardener who is bringing all of these buds into full bloom." Do you see it? Do you see the new life trying to break through in your own story? Maybe it's just a tiny bud right now. Maybe you've been feeling spiritually dormant. Maybe you've been looking at your life thinking, "This area is dead. It's over." This relationship with that person is done…. But what if—just what if—the Master Gardener is already at work beneath the surface, working on bringing life to that moment or situation?

If you have your Bibles with you, and I hope you do, let's open them up together to John chapter 20 and find verses 11-18. Go ahead and turn there. If you don't have a Bible, don't worry - just lean over and look on with someone near you. Today, we're celebrating something radical - that the power systems of Sin, Self, and Shame have been completely broken. Think about that! Because of the resurrection of Jesus, these strongholds that once had full control; over life - sin, shame, and the self-centered life - they can no longer hold you in bondage. Death has been arrested. The enemy can no longer keep you where you are. You know what that means for you and me? It means you've been saved! You've been resurrected in Christ! And that's why we're here today celebrating that the tomb is empty and the stone has been rolled away. Three days passed since Jesus was laid in that tomb guarded by Roman soldiers, and then - BAM! - everything changed. And here's something we often forget - when there's real change, there's usually confusion that follows. Isn't that true in your own life? Think about every morning when you wake up… often times we never wake up completely aware. It takes time.. sometimes it takes coffee or a hot shower to get us fully functioning. But with every change, there does come confusion. And it’s the same with our faith. When God does something unexpected, doesn't it sometimes mess with your mind before it blesses your heart? This particular adversity isn't about physical strength - it's adversity in the mind. It's confusion. And there was plenty of confusion lingering in the air that first Easter. Let's read our text to find out what was going on. (Read John 20:11-18)

So the book of John gives us John's firsthand experience of the resurrection. And have you noticed something interesting? He doesn't actually name himself in the account. Instead, he shows this little bit of humility by calling himself "the other disciple." But - and this makes me laugh - I don't know if it's actually humility, because did you know in this very chapter he makes sure to include this one part where this, “Other” disciple was the fastest disciple? It’s true…. Look with me at verses 3-4: "Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." Isn't that just like a guy? If I'm going to write a book, I'm definitely going to throw in some sort of competition! I can almost guarantee you that if Peter had won that race, "The Other Disciple" would have never mentioned it. But… why am I pointing this out? It's because details matter! Its true.. details matter. John isn't just throwing in random facts. He has important things to share with us, but he can't tell us everything. There's actually too much to tell. He admits this himself in John 21:24-25 where he writes: "This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate. Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written."

Don't you find that amazing? Jesus did so many incredible things that all the books in the world couldn't contain them! I like to believe that Jesus did a lot of things we have no clue about. (Voice gets thoughtful) I believe Jesus told jokes and laughed. I mean, why not? He was real and authentic, just like you and me. Don't we all have joyful moments in our lives? Times when we experience something and feel this deep joy within our hearts?

I know a lot of people have there own thoughts about the series the chosen, but what I love about it is that it gives me a very good example of the human side of Jesus. There are so many scenes, that are scripted in that show that shows Jesus having a sense of humor. It's refreshing, isn't it? To see Jesus portrayed not just as this solemn, serious figure, but as someone who laughs, who enjoys life, who has this incredible warmth about Him. Here are two of my favorites.

I think about those scenes where Jesus is just hanging out with the disciples, or that moment when He's talking with the children, and there's this genuine joy on His face. It changes how we see Him, doesn't it? You know, the Bible doesn't explicitly say "And then Jesus told a joke and everyone laughed," but when you read between the lines - when you see Him with children, at weddings, in homes with friends - I can't imagine those moments without laughter and joy. Think about this, Jesus is the originator of love and joy - …. So of course He experienced not just our sorrows but our joys as humans too. The Bible says He was tempted in every way we are - don't you think that includes being tempted to take life too seriously and forget to laugh? I know personally, I struggle with that sometimes. Getting so caught up in responsibilities and problems that I forget to experience joy. But here's what's amazing about Jesus being the Gardener of our lives - He doesn't just want to fix what's broken. He wants to bring life, overflowing jo to our lives and in our lives. He wants our lives to bloom, not just survive! And so, Details matter. And one detail in this resurrection story has captured my attention for years. Let's look at it together. If you don't mind, go back to chapter 20 and find verse 15. It says: "Dear woman, why are you crying?" Jesus asked her. "Who are you looking for? She thought he was the gardener. 'Sir,' she said, 'if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.’" In this conversation, John writes something remarkable. And if we don't slow down, we'll miss it completely. You see, in the midst of this exchange between Jesus and Mary, John inserts this little insight, this little detail that's easy to overlook. Notice how Jesus speaks to Mary with such tenderness. Two direct questions: "Why are you crying?" and "Who are you looking for?” Ya know, I am never surprised by how Jesus is always just so tender and kind to people. Especially people who are deeply hurting. When was the last time someone approached your pain with that kind of gentleness? I think we all need to learn to be kinder to others. Especially in our words towards one another. But here's what I really want you to see today. Before John gives Mary's answer, before he tells us her reply to Jesus, he includes and inserts these six words: "She thought he was the Gardner."

I dunno about you, How many times have you read this passage and just glazed over these six words? I have! I mean, don't they just seem like a throwaway detail? Like, John is just giving us some background information before getting to the important stuff? But John isn't just writing a book for the sake of it. He's writing his account of Jesus, and every word matters. Every little detail is important for us to grasp the bigger story. Remember what we just read? John couldn't possibly write down everything Jesus did - the world couldn't contain all those books! So when he chooses to include something specific, it matters. What John includes in this gospel, in this moment, in this conversation - it's important. And it teaches us two things: a place in time and a radical truth.

Let's look at the first one - a place in time. The first thing John is pointing out is that "Mary's assumption that Jesus was the Gardner shows us an important insight about the location of the tomb.” Do you see what he's telling us? When Mary thinks Jesus is the gardener, it's not just a case of mistaken identity. It's John's way of letting us know exactly where this encounter is happening. Her words tell us a location. And not just any location - a location with deep significance. When we read Mary's words, we immediately should see that Jesus and Mary are in a garden. And it's not some tiny garden - it's big enough for Mary to assume there's an actual Gardner working there. John gives us another crucial detail about where they are in the previous chapter. In John 19:41 it says: "The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.” The tomb is in a garden. You know, I've been to the garden tomb in Jerusalem. I've stood in the tomb that they believe could have been the tomb of Jesus. And I can tell you - there really is a garden there. It's absolutely beautiful, big enough to need a gardener, and yes - there is a tomb, and it is empty! IN fact, my first ever communion as a pastor was in the garden of Gethsemane. As I took my turn to go into that tomb, I can't really explain the feelings that washed over me. Before I left for Israel, a woman in our church who has this amazing prayer life told me I was going to meet God there. She said that while I was in Israel, God would meet me in a special way. And of course, I was like most of us would be - I was waiting for writing in the sky or some theological mind explosion. Something extraordinary and unmistakable. But what I actually received were two quiet moments that became really special to me. The first was on top of Masada, just before we went into Jerusalem. I got my picture taken and there was this dove behind me with all wings spread out. And then while I was in Jerusalem, something incredible happened. I strolled away from our tour group for a moment, and this stranger just appeared out of nowhere. He walked up to me and began teaching me a parable about a caterpillar. Then he just looked at me with the most gentle eyes, said "Shalom" and walked off. I believe with all of my heart that in that moment, I met Jesus. He was teaching me about patience. After these two experiences, as our time in Israel was ending, I walked into the garden and into that tomb. And I began to get emotional. Because there's something so intimate about believing in Jesus, believing that the tomb is empty, and then standing in that place - witnessing both the reality of Jesus and the empty tomb in a place where He actually walked, and prayed. It was such a humbling moment because it reminded me that I was standing in a garden... and guess what?….all of humanity began in a garden too. But that first garden was called the Garden of Eden. You see, today I want you to see Jesus not just as a gardener, but as THE gardener. I want you to grasp the significance of seeing Jesus as our Gardener. It begins all the way back in Genesis. In Genesis chapter 2:7 it says: "Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground." Did you catch that? We see God playing in the dirt! Then look at what the Bible tells us… "He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person. Where did he place the man? Well, look down in verse 8… Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.”

Now, fast forward back to the garden with Jesus and Mary. Where do we see Mary? Standing in a garden with tears running down her face. I can just imagine her pain. She has this deep hurt within her heart. She's crying so hard that her eyes are overrun with tears - they're red and swollen. I can picture those broken eyes, filled with tears that are literally impacting her ability to see clearly. And now, you and I can begin to understand why John includes those six words in the middle of Jesus and Mary's conversation. I believe it was to show Mary as representing the brokenness of sin, the fall in the garden. Mary's brokenness represents the broken world around her. A broken woman, broken by sin, standing in a garden from the old creation. And that gives us something intense - a truth that we can take with us today.

Mary's assumption that Jesus was the gardener gives us greater depth in discovering the truth of the Resurrection. And Get this - stay with me here. John is about to tell us about the broken-hearted Mary who is standing in the middle of a garden assuming Jesus is the gardener. But could her assumption actually be correct? What if it wasn't a mistake at all? You see, Jesus isn't just "a" Gardner but he is "THE" Gardner. Our English translations tell us that very reality. Go ahead, read it again in your Bible... I bet you in your translation of John 20:15 it says she thought Jesus was "the" Gardener. WATCH THIS… In the King James Version: "She, supposing him to be 'the' gardener, saith unto him” ESV: "Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him” Let's get radical.. right lets throw in with some paraphrased Bibles… The Complete Jewish Bible says: "Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him” The Message paraphrase says: "She, thinking that he was the gardener” Isn't that amazing? All these different translations, with different approaches and philosophies of translation, all agree that these six words have meaning and they can't change them. What if Mary was truly right in her assumption that Jesus was THE Gardener? "What do you mean, pastor?" Get this... in the midst of the two of them standing in the old creation, there is something new beginning to bud. A new tomb was sitting in an old created garden. Mary weeps because of her reality in the old creation. She is painfully aware of the price that was paid for Adam and Eve's rebellion against God. It's death... a death that she has experienced throughout her entire life, with loves ones and friends and strangers. The old life, the sinful life, the life that had rejected God was full of brokenness. Brokenness was a regular part of her life, and let's be real... brokenness is truly a part of our lives today too, isn't it? And here is Mary, who thinks Jesus is a gardener. And then John is choosing to share this detail in his story is not an accident or wasted words. It's intentional. I believe with all my heart that John is intentional in these six words. What John is doing is linking together the present reality of the resurrection with the beginning of the story of creation. In the midst of that old creation is a new tomb. No one has ever been put in this tomb before Jesus. This new tomb was a borrowed tomb... why? Because this was a unique death that no longer followed the rules of the old creation!

Out of the new tomb comes the resurrection and the life. There is a new creation bursting forth in the midst of the old! You know, for many of us... we can totally relate to this story. For me, it hit home when I was just walking around Glen Eryie and even where we live. God literally guided my eyes to these little buds on this tree that looked completely dead a few weeks ago. And it was like He was saying to me, "See that? Life can come from death. That's what I do.”

But here's the thing - and let's be real with each other - you and I, we both live in a broken world, right? It's all around us. We see it every single day. The death, the hurt, the pain, people we love getting sick, relationships falling apart, dreams dying... all these fears of what might happen next... they just seem to be constantly trying to crash into our lives the moment we let our guard down. Anyone know what I'm talking about? But in the middle of all our tears... in the middle of all our brokenness and grief that we're facing... God is whispering something to us. He's calling us to see this amazing truth: The Master Gardener specializes in growing life where death seemed certain.

Can I tell you something crazy? I actually believe that. I really do. I believe that the same God who raised Jesus from that tomb is looking at the dead places in your life right now and He's saying, "Oh, I can work with that." He's not intimidated by your impossible situation. He's not shocked by your failures. He's not giving up on your broken relationships. Or even the dreams he has placed in your heart. Churhc, He’s the Master Gardener! This is what He does! He brings beauty from ashes and life from death.

And I'm asking you this morning, on this day—this day we celebrate the resurrection—don't you see it happening? (Voice softening) Maybe not fully yet... maybe it's just the tiniest little bud right now in your life. Maybe it's just a shimmer of hope left in your heart that your relationship with your spouse or your boyfriend or girlfriend can be restored. Maybe there's still a dream flickering inside you that this relationship can be transformed. You know what? The Master Gardener isn't finished with that relationship. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to bring life back to what looks dead in your marriage. The same God who rolled away the stone is capable of rolling away the hurt and pain that's built up between you and that person you love. Maybe it's not a relationship. Maybe it's a dream you had that died. A calling. A purpose that got buried somewhere along the way. And you've been standing at the tomb of that dream weeping, just like Mary asking God, where’s the life in all of this? But what if—what if today is the day Jesus calls your name? What if today is the day you turn around and realize it's not just some random gardener standing there, but it's THE Gardener who specializes in resurrection? Can I tell you something? He's already at work. There are buds of new life happening all around you, even in places that still look completely barren to your eyes. Because that's what resurrection is all about—life bursting forth where only death seemed possible. Look at us and where we have come form in the last 6 months… Every Sunday, I get to wake up and come here and see the buds of faith and love happing in your life. The buds of excitement and joy and anticipation of what’s to come. I hear it in all of your voices when you speak of relationships being mended and forgiveness being offered, I’m literally watching life bud among us. There are buds of new life happening all around us and Jesus is the gardener who is bringing these buds into full bloom. The Master Gardener specializes in growing life where death seemed certain. And so, as Peter comes up to lead us in our closing… I need to ask… Have you responded yet? Have you truly responded to this resurrection message? You see, church, what happens next in the story is what gets me every time. It's found in verse 16. Jesus calls Mary by name with an exclamation! He doesn't just say her name casually. He says, "MARY!" Like He's breaking through all her grief and confusion in a single moment. And what does Mary do? She responds by clinging to Jesus and calling out His name. "Rabboni!" Teacher! Master! She recognizes Him. But then, Jesus says something that might seem strange at first. He says, "Don't cling to me because I haven't yet ascended to the Father." And then He gives her instructions - instructions that Mary immediately fulfilled. We read in verse 18: "Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, 'I have seen the Lord!' Then she gave them his message." What message? What message did she give them? She gave them the message of Resurrection! He has risen! He has risen indeed! You see, in that moment, Mary's perspective was completely transformed. The death and brokenness that surrounded her was changed in the blink of an eye. All she could see before was the brokenness around her as she stood in that old garden. But then Jesus - THE Gardener - shifted her focus from the old creation to the new creation that is found only in Him. Her perspective was changed... and because her perspective was changed, her message to others changed too.

Should we not have the same reality in our lives if we've heard the message of Christ? We believe in the resurrection because of our faith... but what are we doing with that belief? Jesus gives us the same assignment He gave Mary - to go and tell others about His resurrection. To be witnesses of new life. Instead of looking at the death of the tomb, our hearts, souls, and minds can focus on the life buds of Jesus Christ - and we can be gardeners for THE Gardener of life! You know what that means? It means we don't just celebrate resurrection on Easter Sunday - we live it out every single day! It means when we see people trapped in brokenness, bound by sin, weeping at tombs of dead dreams and relationships, we don't just walk by. We say, with our hearts aflame.. and passionate, "Hey, let me tell you about the Gardener I know. The one who specializes in bringing dead things back to life.” I once was dead.. but now I am alive…

Who needs to hear that message from you this week? Who in your life is standing at a tomb weeping, not recognizing that Jesus is right there with them? Maybe it's a coworker who's lost hope. Maybe it's your neighbor whose marriage is falling apart. Maybe it's your child who's walking through a season of doubt. God has positioned you - yes, YOU - to be a gardener for THE Gardener in their lives. To point them to the One who brings resurrection life. How will you respond? Will you respond like Mary did? Will you go and tell them, "I have seen the Lord!"? Will you share the message of resurrection with a world that desperately needs to hear it? The tomb is empty, friends. And that means there's hope for every dead place - in your life, and in the lives of everyone around you.

Instead of looking at the death of the tomb,…… our hearts, souls and minds can focus on the life buds of Jesus Christ and we can be a Gardner for the Gardner of life. Lets stand together, and pray, and then worship one last time. *