While on the Cross at Calvary, Jesus cried out in agony of soul the words from Psalm 22:1. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? . . . But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.” With these words Jesus identified Himself with the suffering Messiah. The depths of His suffering are beautifully illustrated by the “towla” or crimson worm of verse 6.
The crimson worm was well known in the ancient world for its production of a scarlet dye which was very valuable because of the beauty it gave to clothing. But the real story lies in the way the scarlet dye was produced by the worm.
The female attaches herself to a tree to birth her young. While protecting them, she dies clinging to the wood, releasing a deep red dye that stains her body, her offspring… and the wood itself.
After three days, the crimson fades, and her body turns white—like wax.
Many Christians have seen in this a symbolic reflection of Jesus’ sacrifice: His blood, His death on the wood, and His selfless love poured out for us.
Like the crimson worm, Jesus went to the Cross to die. When He was on trial before Pilate, Jesus said to him, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)
The motive which caused Christ to come into the world and die for others was love.
“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.”~Frederick M. Lehman
Like the crimson worm, Jesus died a substitutionary death to give life to others. In comforting words to Martha who was grieving over the death of her brother Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25, 26).
“He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand-new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
He paid that debt at Calvary,
He cleansed my soul and set me free,
I’m glad that Jesus did all my sins erase;
I now can sing a brand-new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.~Author Unknown
Like the crimson worm, the blood of Jesus had to be shed. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb. 9:22b).
Like the crimson worm, the death of Jesus was cruel beyond measure. Before nails pierced His hands and feet, before a crown of thorns crushed His brow, In the Garden of Gethsemane in excruciating emotional agony, Jesus sweated great drops of blood which fell into the ground (Luke 22:44).
“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.”~Isaac Watts
“Christ was forsaken so we could be welcomed.
Christ was wounded so we could be healed.
Christ entered darkness so we would never face it alone.”~Jon Lands
The Collected Works of Stanford E. Murrell 