We Christians are the summoned and the sent. We have been summoned by Christ to come out of the world to him. And we have been sent by Him into the world. Our scripture this morning says that he called to Him the 12 and sent them out to preach the gospel.
He invited you and me to come to him so that first He could help us, and second so that we could help others in His name. It is a "Come to me—Go for me” relationship.
We read in the scriptures the words “Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” And “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink.” He promises to the weary rest and to the thirst drink. Then having come to Him he says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And “You shall be My witnesses to the end of the earth.”
Our Lord cares about you: everyone of you. When we have come to Christ—probably through the encouragement of some other Christian—He desires that we should go to others as well. Will we be missionaries? Perhaps. But more importantly, we are to do our living wherever we are in loving thoughtful care for all.
Gardens are places where things grow. God must love gardens of growing things. Much of Biblical history has hinged in gardens. In Genesis, this earthly race of ours begins in a garden where the first scene of our earthly drama is played. It is simply told. “God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. There He put mankind whom He had formed.”
Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior of the world wrestled in selfgiving prayer. Near the slopes of Mt. Golgotha a new made tomb awaited in a garden where nearly 2000 years ago occurred the most extraordinary event in the whole history of the world.
From the beginning, God has placed His people in gardens and wlways for a purpose. In the Genesis story, what commission does God give? “Be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth and have dominion over it. Do not exploit or deplete, but develop, help to bring it to its very best.” In the realm of nature, that is quite a job. You know if you have worked in a garden. You have to keep weeds away so tomatoes and beans can grow. You have to be on guard to protect your garden.
There is a difference between a garden and a wilderness. The latter may have a kind of wild beauty, but it is unproductive. The difference? The presence of the gardener and the labor of someone who cares.