Designer Fig Leaves

Remember the ripping yarn about Adam and Eve and how they realised to their horror that they were naked? They came to this shocking understanding when they had done something they were expressly told not to do.

So they hastily sew some fig leaves to cover the personal parts of their anatomy. Then they hide away, ashamed and remorseful, hoping that God will not see them and if they are found, then at least they have some sort of covering so it really won’t be that bad .. will it?

You would have thought that grumpy ol God would come breathing threats of rage and retribution. Not so.. God comes walking in the cool of the evening and calls to the couple because he can’t see them in their usual place ie. On the verandah in their favourite rocking chairs quaffing a refreshing beverage made from juniper berries or oats.

The story progresses, tension mounts and it is clear that God knows exactly what has happened.. and yet, and yet… still He comes. God knows full well that Adam and Eve are embarrassed and fallible and oozing with guilt. Still… he comes. He comes not because he wants to tick them off but because he simply wants to be with them. He comes knowing full well how fallible we are and what we have done. He even knows the trim of our designer fig leaves. These are just foolish bits of dressing which really serve no earthly purpose at all except to try to cover our perceived shame when in fact none of them are necessary.

It is a good news story. The Master comes to be with us not because of what we have done, but simply because He wants to share that refreshing beverage and gentle conversation.