"Early in the morning, as he (Jesus) was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again!' Immediately the tree withered." (Matthew 21:19).

The fig tree was originally created, like all things, for God's glory. It was designed to provide the blessing of food and shade to humankind. In Israel, the fig leaves are quite sizable and the fruit delicious. The fig tree is a national symbol of peace and prosperity. "During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree." (1Kings 4:25). For each person to have a healthy fig tree and vine, is one of the promises of life in the kingdom of God; (Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10).

But this particular fig tree that Jesus saw failed to meet His need. It did not fulfill its primary function. So its Creator cursed it, which He had every right to do. The purpose of the fig tree is to bear fruit, not just leaves. The Bible records that God has no tolerance for 'operation fig leaf'.

The first reference to the fig leaf is found in Genesis, the Book of Beginnings. As a result of human disobedience, paradise was forfeited. 'God consciousness' was replaced with 'self-consciousness' and Adam and his wife suffered the consequences of their 'awayness' from God. They attempted to cover up their nakedness (a term used to describe their utter inadequacy, their true guilt, separation and shame) by sewing together fig leaves (Genesis 3:7). This self-styled covering was totally inadequate. 'Fig leaves' represent our own attempts to repair our condition before God. It is the way of self-justification; self-redemption; self-defense mechanisms and self-deception. Fig leaves represent the inadequate covering of acts of religious piety that are done as an attempt to tip the scales of God's favor in our direction. Fig leaves represent our excuses and alibis for our sin. Our fig leaf coverings are a form of denying our true need for a solution beyond our own making. It represents our refusal to face the truth in the light of God's Word.

God stripped Adam and his wife of their fig leaves and made a covering by the means of the sacrificial death of an innocent substitute (Genesis 3:21). Only a God-made solution is adequate to repair mankind's fallen condition and clothe our nakedness. The covering of Genesis 3:21 prefigures the once and for all sacrifice for sin made by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Only the merits of Christ's death on our behalf, the righteous dying for the unrighteous, can justify the guilty (1Peter 3:18). Only the merits of Christ's representational life can clothe us with the kind of righteousness that God requires. He is the perfect solution for the problem of guilt and shame.

Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, was going to the Cross as a spotless sacrificial Lamb, to provide the redemption that would cover our sins. He had to strip humanity from its false defenses. He demanded that people come into the light and repent of trying to save themselves through their own self-justifying works. No more excuses. No more pretenses. He curses 'operation fig leaf'.

Are there fig leaves that you are sewing together as an attempt to put yourself in a right standing with God? Do you try to pretend to be adequately clothed in God's presence? Are you defensive when convicted by the Spirit? Do you cover up and make excuses for your sin? Are you hiding behind religion? Are you holding on to your self-made costume of self-justifying works, which are nothing but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)? It is time you traded your fig-leaf apron in for a real robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Jesus went to the cross to put away your sin, and make a covering that will perfectly clothe you. God will justify you, redeem you and defend you as you put your trust fully in Christ.

He will also fill you with His Spirit and enable to do what He, as your Creator, created you to do: bring forth fruit to His glory.