Botanical gardens 03-26-2025

One of my favorite activities when traveling is to search for the local area’s botanical gardens. I’ve been fortunate to visit gardens in more than a dozen major cities, each with its own flora interpretation, each equally beautiful. There is tranquility as you are immersed in the beauty of a garden. There is also awe as you consider such variety of color, aroma, delicate petals alongside hardy trees. It’s the kind of awe expressed by the psalmist: what is mankind that you are mindful of them, [us/me] (Psalms 8:4) It’s in such a garden (Gethsemane) that Jesus, under cover of darkness, was arrested, tied and dragged to his mock trial and execution. The serenity of the garden was violated. It’s not unlike the first garden (Eden) where evil destroyed innocence. The difference is this time, innocence (Jesus) entered the garden to destroy evil and restore tranquility, serenity, peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7) And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Let’s journey through that garden.