Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis 3: 7)

It all started with an apple. God had told Adam and Eve that they could pick and eat any of the fruit in the garden, but this one lone tree was to be left alone. They were not to touch the fruit of that particular tree. It was, as scripture tells us, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Without the discernment of good or evil, they did not understand their nakedness and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

The knowledge of good and evil, the differences in each human being, the variances in instilled value systems, all these combined serve to create judgmental-ism within each of us, and this judgmental-ism and comparisons between ourselves and those around us creates the “I want – me first” attitude that seems to rule the world today.

Each time we cry out, “I want, I want,” or “what about me? – what’s in it for me?”, we are plucking another apple from the same tree that Adam and Eve were told not to touch. The world is so busy picking the apples from that tree that most people cannot see the truths Jesus came to teach us. The tree of knowledge of good and evil did not disappear from the garden when Adam and Eve were driven out. It still exists today and is constantly being harvested by those who seek personal recognition, honor and a distinguished place above others. It is the self-seeking human beings on their own pedestals that are picking the fruit of that very same tree.

John spoke of the lamb “who takes away the sin of the world.” Note that he speaks of a single “sin,” not a multitude of sins. That sin is “self”! Jesus taught us to serve others, to wash feet and to be compassionate toward all. It’s time to get outside of ourselves and stop picking the apple. Leave the apple alone!

God of all creation, may we see through Your Son the opportunities that will lead us away from the apple tree and into the service of others!