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An Easter Hymn
April 9, 2007

We sing what we believe, and we believe what we sing. That expresses the importance of hymns, spiritual songs, and anthems. I especially like those which are based on scripture. If you check out the great music of the church over the years, you will find that most of it--if not all of it--is based on scripture. One of those hymns is an Easter hyimn which a great many of us enjoy singing any time. The words and melody were written and composed by C. Austin Miles. The hymn is "In the Garden."

Miles was reading and meditating upon John 20 when he was inspired to write down the following words:

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.

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.

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.

Refrain: 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.

If you put these words side by side with the text from John 20, you can tell quickly that Miles has written about Mary Magdalene who came to the Garden alone on that early morning. She found an empty tomb and was distraught. She went to the disciples, Peter and John, who came to the tomb to see for themselves. When they saw the empty tomb, they left her there by herself and returned home. She continued to weep, even when two angels asked her why she was weeping. Then she became aware of another presence and turned to face a man. The man asked her the same question, "Woman, why are you weeping?" Thinking him to be the gardener or caretaker of the garden, she begged him for the body of Jesus. Then He spoke her name, and she knew that He was Jesus.

She wanted to rush to HIm and grab and hold HIm, but He forbade her. Instead, He told her to go and tell His followers. She did this. The hymn is about that interchange between her and Jesus in the Garden that morning. She could have stayed there indefinitely with him, not because she was having an affair with Him, as some have suggested. She wanted to stay there because He was the risen savior. Her life now was worthwhile again. He had exorcised seven demons from her, and she owed Him her very life. Just as Mary had a personal relationship with the risen Jesus, so you and I can have a personal relationship with HIm. That's why we love this hymn so much. It speaks of that personal relationship which has transformed our lives and given them meaning.

We celebrate that personal relationship today even as we rejoice in the victory of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Why not plan to enjoy HIm every day this year and every year?

Frank H. Thomas, Jr.