Marvel at a ruby of a gem in the form of a 1st century Middle Eastern worm. This worm can tell us about the God-Man Jesus and the intricacy and specificity of the Holy Spirit's authorship.

Known more technically as the coccus ilicus, this crimson worm was known for its value monetarily. Its red dye had a durable, enduring quality and was used amongst textiles generally and specifically for worship by the Jews. The priestly garments comprised these scarlet threads and the tabernacle's furnishings (Exodus 38:31; 39:1, ESV). According to Paul in Hebrews 9:19, the inauguration of the first covenant with Moses included scarlet wool. The process of getting this dye may sound familiar to you.

To lay her eggs, the female kermes worm would venture up the kermes oak tree, where she would affix herself to the wood. She would insulate herself with a hard crimson shell as she affixed herself to the tree. Then, she would sit above these eggs protectively, still encircled by this barrier, until her babies hatched. Her newly born babies would feed on her flesh for three days as her blood would stain the wood and cover her babies. By day 3, the babies would be ready to leave the shell, and by day 4, something even more peculiar happens. The mother's tail turned upward, resembling a heart, and what was a deep scarlet turned a brilliant white. The mother has a now wax-like appearance and composition. This white waxy gradually flakes off and descends from the tree, blanketing the ground with a snowy white substance. [1]

In Isaiah 1, a mother's dejected, indignant heart reverberates, "Children have I reared and brought up, but they rebelled against me." The Lord continues detailing how his people have missed the mark; their evilness is from head to toe. God's people are estranged from Him, without understanding, and utterly perverse. The Lord wonders in a pleading way, just like a mother would, "Why?" Why continue on this path and be the recipient of my justice? The consequences of this rebellion continue, and the Lord expresses his rejection of their sacrifices and feasts; the Lord hates vain worship and makes it clear in these verses. But then verse 18 reads this, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." God gives hope in their rampant wickedness and foolishness, and this compassionate voice echoes regressively to the garden, where we find the Father drawing out his shameful children. How consistently loving and holy is our God, whose voice mirrors a concerned Mother who does not want to discipline but will because of her love? God, of course, cares passionately for his name and will not violate his holiness. Still, his passion and concern mingle in Isaiah and remind us of this worm's sacrifice.

In Jesus' closing moments on the cross, he offered up these words to the Father, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). These words would have resonated to his Jewish onlookers who knew the writings, the law, and the prophets. In Psalm 22, King David cries out to the Lord in anguish. But we may forget that this whole psalm is not just a lament at the Father's face turning and the injustice surrounding his enemies. It is also a declaration of trust, joy, and hope! While Jesus did not speak the entire psalm - it would be unlikely anyway, given the nearness of the hour and the fact that he was drowning in his blood - he knew the fullness of this psalm's message. By quoting its opening verse, he is referencing the whole psalm. Similar to when someone sings a melody and the rest of the words fill your mind. Completely innocent with the Father's wrath poured out on him, Jesus declared his trust in the Father's holiness and assurance that he would deliver him just as he delivered Israel. Jesus welcomed the unashamed reality caused by the Father's protective love. His love delivers; his plan is one of deliverance and vindication.

Verse 6 of Psalm 22 reads, "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people." Jesus was very much like a worm, wasn't he? Despised, insignificant to many, and compassionate like the Father. Jesus willingly affixed himself to the tree, his blood being poured out as a covering. Miraculously, we, too, became cleansed and purified, going from scarlet to white wool. Even that dying worm's motion points to Christ's resurrection and ascension after his death. The worm wanted to give birth to her children safely. And what a cost it was for Jesus to do the same for you and me. We, too, have been covered in his blood and partake of his body in the Lord's supper, marvelously being sustained forever until we get to serve under his kingship in the millennial kingdom. Consider the immeasurable value of Christ's blood, the enduring quality of his work, and how he has raised you so that you could not be the fate of those expressed in Isaiah and Mark…

There, we see another side of this worm, who will devour his enemies, "For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations" (Isaiah 51:8). Christ will consume his adversaries and those who have chosen to reject Christ's gift will live in a perpetual state of torment, "' where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'" Christ will continue to pour out his wrath on those who did not dine with him like those little hatched worms. It is grim to imagine a reality where this worm lives expressing his judgment, but it is reality nonetheless. To the unbelievers, Christ's saving work is not applied to them; he was a worm to them that did not die. So now, they will be in a forever state of judgment without the covering of his blood and the spiritual nourishment he alone provided by dying so triumphantly.

While these words in Isaiah were addressed to the Father's bride long ago, they still ring true for the gentile church today, "Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel" (41:40). While we feel insignificant and lowly, struggling with trust and patterns of sin, Christ is reigning and will reign shortly. And while Israel may be rejecting Christ now, there will come a time when even she will repent and see Christ as her Redeemer, "And in this way, all Israel will be saved, as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob'; 'and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins'" (Romans 11:26-28). Through the Spirit, you will be comforted and supported, and because of the only perfect Righteous one, you are covered in more ways than one.

Ponder

What thoughts and feelings emerge as you consider this scarlet worm?What other types of Christ like King David can you think of in scripture?How might you heed the warnings in Isaiah to Israel? Are their aspects of your worship and walk that relate to their disobedience? How so?How was Christ’s work on the cross a victory? Consider how the Holy Spirit drew you to salvation and the results of the Spirit’s work in your life to sustain you.How are you sharing in Christ’s suffering in your walk?How much am I feeding on Christ’s word and being nourished? What are the costs of not doing this and what benefits will there be if I commit to some changes?What do I need to confess to the Lord?

Practice

Journal your responses to this blog entry prayerfully.Review the scripture mentioned in this article and spend 15 in prayer as you read these scripturesWrite down 3 ways you can pick up your cross this week.Memorize Isaiah 1:18.Write down the ways it may be better to enter the house of mourning in 1-2 specific areas of suffering in your walk, present or past.Consider if there are ways you are doing things in your own strength due to fear and offer a prayer of surrender and trust in the Lord out loud, if possible.Invite someone to church, or share a prayer/encouragement to someone who may be difficult to love.

Prayer

Gracious Father, You masterfully show us who you are in your word. It was always your plan to save a wayward, stubborn people and give them new hearts so they could follow you. We thank you for the testimonies of other imperfect, broken followers of you like King David. You were so faithful to Him, and your promises stand. Your faithfulness does not depend on us. May we not take advantage of your grace and how your son became like a worm for us to be priests and daughters. Help us see more of your mysteries in your word. Give us the strength and perspective to love others sacrificially. Bind our wounds. You kept your wounds, Lord. Help us turn from any thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that will hinder us from carrying your name. If you did not love your name, we would be lost. You are victorious! Draw more people to us who need to know and hear of you. Give us boldness and help us spend more time at your feet. When you said, "It is finished," the debt was paid. We cannot add to your work, so help us rest in what you have done. Help the love that you have shown motivate us to godliness. May we remember your wrath and justice and delight in who you are. Protect us from the enemy's schemes. May we recognize our ability through your Spirit to walk faithfully. Bless us with the gifts of your Spirit and open our eyes to when you want us to use them. In Jesus' name, amen.

Sources

1. "The 'Scarlet Worm'." Hebraic Heritage, April 15, 2022. https://www.hebraic-heritage.org/post/the-scarlet-worm.