(A Communion Table Talk)
This morning, I want to take you to two places that hold deep meaning in the story of our salvation: a garden . . . and a grave.
The two don’t seem like they go together. A garden is where things grow. A grave is where things end. But in the story of Jesus, they’re both central — and they both tell the truth of the gospel.
The Garden
Let’s begin in the garden.
In Luke 22:39–44, we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. It's night. The cross is just hours away. And the weight of the world — literally — is pressing down on Him.
Luke tells us: “Being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (v. 44)
This was no peaceful stroll. This garden was not blooming with roses — it was heavy with the cost of our redemption. In that moment, Jesus wrestled with the terrifying reality of the cross.
And what does He pray? “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (v. 42)
That’s where salvation began for us — not at the cross, but here — in a garden — where the Son of God said “yes” to the will of the Father.
Jesus didn’t just die for us — He chose to die for us.
The Grave
Then came the grave.
John 19 tells us that after the mock trial, the crown of thorns, the cross, and the final cry, “It is finished” — Jesus’ body was taken down, wrapped in linen, and laid in a tomb.
A borrowed grave — Cold — Sealed with a stone.
From the outside, it looked like the end. But from heaven’s view — it was the planting of a seed.
Jesus had said in John 12:24: “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Jesus was that seed. The grave was not defeat. It was the doorway to resurrection.
In that tomb, the Author of Life rewrote the story of death.
The Table
So here we are, gathered around this table — surrounded by reminders:
The bread — His body
The cup — His blood.
Each symbol calls us to remember what happened in that garden . . . and what happened in that grave.
In the garden — Jesus gave His will.
In the grave — He gave His life.
And because of both — we are given hope.
Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
So today, as we take this bread and cup…
Look back to the garden — where love surrendered.
Look back to the cross — where love suffered.
Look back to the grave — where love was buried — and from which it rose again.
And then — look forward.
Because Jesus didn’t just rise — He promised to return.
1 Corinthians 11:26 reminds us that every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim His death until He comes.
Let’s use this moment to take in . . .
The garden,
the grave,
and the glory of the One who walked through both — for us.
