Purpose Edition
Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs (1)
...and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (2)
It is so true about the fig leaves Adam and Eve used to cover their shame when they sinned. Isn't that interesting...The fig leaves they used hold a direct reference to the fig tree that the became accursed when the Lord Jesus found no fruit on it at His appearing. Because the fig leaves symbolises religion. Religiosity. Religiosity that is unable to bear fruit. Religiosity that is truly unable to cover sins. Religiosity that unlike the faith and power that came from the burning bush that Moses saw. The burning bush of faith that was being consumed by the fire yet was not destroyed. Like the Lord Jesus being falsely persecuted by the religious leaders yet held His peace (3) and even prayed for them. It was a phenomenon
It was what Jesus expected to find on that fig tree that day. A natural phenomenon for the Son o f God Himself. A fig tree that would produce fruit even when it was not the season to produce. A fig tree that would be different amongst all the other fig trees surrounding it. A fig tree that would produce fruit recognising the Lord of the earths visitation and produce when he would require it of it. That it would produce for the saviour.
It was as though that fig tree was like the wicked and lazy servant (4) who despised its master at his appearing and did not want to produce at His visitation. So that the Lord cursed it for not recognising His sovereignty and Lordship. The winds and the wave obeyed Him (5). The dead were brought back to life (6). Yet that fig tree remained unmoved. Unproductive. Uncaring of the coming of the Saviour and Lord of all. That fig tree was indeed the resemblance of religion. Religion that is unable to produce fruits. Religion that is unable to be a consuming fire that is not consumed but remain burning like the burning bush (7). Religion that like Adam and Eve who sought after those same leaves from the fig tree to cover themselves of their sin. Yet was not sufficient the covering of religiosity and hypocrisy in that they did not confront and acknowledge their error but only hid away with their coverings of religiosity at the appearance of the Lord walking through the garden that day (2).
It was not sufficient. The leaves from the figs were unable to satisfy and make atonement for their error. The practice that they started and tried to use to hide their deceit was not sufficient. Only sacrifice and truth in sincerity (8) could cover their mistakes. An animal, most likely a lamb or sheep. Shedded of its wool, performed by the Lord Himself could offer true coverings from the shame and guilt that Adam and Eve now carried.
It was as though the action and intuition of Adam and Eve brought a curse upon the fig tree. That after many generations the fig tree kept this same remembrance of the attempt of Adam and Eve to cover themselves. That it was unable to provide the true fruit of repentance and fulfilment needed for atonement. So that when we are religious and the fire comes we are burned up. We are not able to remain a consuming fire. We are consumed. When we are religious we are unable to bare fruits and be constantly bearing fruits in season and out of season. We are unable to produce fruits when the Lord requires of us. We are only able in season but not out of season. So that at His appearing we have nothing and like the wicked servant we become accursed
Fruits of forgiveness when we are reviled and persecuted because the season is rough and tough and we don’t feel like it. Fruits of love and patience because things are tough and we also produce this hardness of the heart to match the occasion. Fruits of love and mercy because someone really offended us and they don’t deserve our forgiveness. So the religious; this fig tree; these leaves for coverings of tradition or a practice only produces fruits when the season is right. All is well. No one is against them. Everything is at peace. But when there is war, persecution, offences the religious are unable to stand but become consumed by the fire and are unable to bear fruits. So that only to be born of God and this consuming fire of the Holy Spirit are we able to be no longer a religious fig tree unable to bear fruits or a bush consumed by the fire to dust. But a spiritual being. A life giving spirit that produces fruits of patience, forgiveness long suffering at the visitation of the Lord that comes to see if there are any fruit through the test of faith.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (9)
Through problems and disappointments. A burning bush unconsumed by the fire of persecution and offences but remains standing a flame of fire a life giving Spirit. A remarkable scene. A phenomenon. A testimony. The true coverings of our shame and sins. The shame of the flesh. The shame of wrath, grudges, envy, hatred, sadness, frustration, anger etc. Our sins are covered by the sacrifice of the lamb, The Lord Jesus Christ. He is the sacrificial lamb that was slain. That no longer do we need the covering of the sheep skin to cover our shame but now the true covering that comes through the sacrifice of the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus, symbolised through the Lords Supper. A remembrance of the true covering and redemption of our sins. In that the religious practice and falsehood of the Pharisees were unable to atone or provide for the people of that time. But only the example of forgiveness love and mercy that Jesus left an example to us of the Way, the Truth and the Life that leads to the Father. That no one can enter except through Him. That religion or religious practices cannot atone for. That fig leaves are unable to cover. That the flames of life are unable to attain. Except through Him and the covering that is manifested through His Spirit.
That covers and seals us with this consuming fire so that we are able to withstand the fires of life and also become fruitful and ready at His appearance. But when we are only religious, in tradition in practices in self acclaimed philosophies. The fire consumes us and the fruits do not appear so that we remained accursed from the curse of the garden remains in the image and likeness of the first Adam who fell. Not attaining to the second Adam who overcame, the Lord Jesus.
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” (10)
When we are born of God we no longer live for this world but already die in spirit to this world and all its ties. So that we are ready in season or out of it. We are ready for the good days and the bad days. We understand that the visitation of the Lord comes in death, in life, in sadness, in joy, in gain and in loss and though all the seasons we are able to produce fruits. We are able to understand the will of God. We are able to let go. We are able to lose. We are able to gain. We are ready in season and out. Knowing that our life is no longer here in this world or for this world. While we live, while the seasons is for bearing fruits we gain. Yet when death comes, losses set backs and disappointments we do not lose heart (11) but still produce the fruit of peace, understanding and surrender. Trusting that God is in control and new heavens and new earths are being formed. That the former things have passed away and He will wipe every tear from our eyes (12).
Add comment
Comments