Hymn writer and amateur photographer C. Austin Miles was seated in his darkroom one day when he drew his Bible toward himself; it opened at his favorite chapter, John 20. As he read, he envisioned himself watching the scene: He was standing at the entrance of a garden, viewing a winding path shaded by olive branches. A woman in white, head bowed and choking back sobs, walked into the shadows; it was Mary Magdalene. She came to the tomb, looked in, and hurried away. John and Peter appeared and entered the tomb, then departed. Next Mary reappeared at the tomb weeping; turning, she saw Jesus. Kneeling before Him with arms outstretched, she looked into His face and cried, “Rabboni!”


Under the inspiration of these thoughts, muscles tense and nerves vibrating, Miles wrote the words to “In the Garden” as quickly as possible. That evening he composed the music.


Close communion with the risen Lord in whatever “garden” we find ourselves transforms us and offers hope to many who need to know He is alive and near.