Scorn, insults, and hate

 

Is my title perhaps a little too graphic? Are we uncomfortable thinking about Christ's crucifixion? I would say that if we are, there is hope for our hearts. We are not so callous as to shake it off - it affects us.

We are continuing our study of Psalm 22 with verses 6-8:

But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
 All who see me mock me;
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
    “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
    since he delights in him.”

We'll concentrate today on verse six - anyone here know what a "remez" is? I bet at least one of our readers knows! In Jewish studies and interpretation of scripture, a remez is a deeper meaning, a hidden message in a verse or passage. It's said to be a treasure just below the surface of the words that we read; it's kinda like reading "between the lines."

Verse six says "a worm and not a man." That's a little confusing at first, since Jesus was a man. Not a worm. A worm is a wriggly, weak, easy-to-get-rid-of organism. What does David mean? 

In Hebrew, the word usually translated "worm" is "rimmah." This means maggot or worm. Here in this psalm, though, a different Hebrew word is used: "towla," or "tola'ath." This is one particular worm - a grub-like creature called the crimson or scarlet worm. This worm was common to the Middle East, and was known for the intensely crimson color resulting from using it as a dye (when crushed).  Scholars tell us that this is the scarlet noted in Exodus 26, when instructions were given for the Tabernacle fabrics.  And the colors crimson and scarlet make us think of blood; they are very deep, intensely red hues. And it's in this special worm that we find our "remez."

The female crimson worm only lays eggs once in its life, and when the time comes, she finds a tree or a fence post and attaches herself to it. Once her body is attached to the wood, an extremely rigid, crimson shell forms. It is so hard and so completely attached to the wood that it can only be removed from the wood by tearing apart the creature. The crimson worm's eggs are laid under that protective shell, and when they hatch, they remain there for three days. The mother worm's body excretes the remarkable crimson dye when she dies, and it stains both the wood and the new crimson worms. What remains of the adult worm looks more like a white wax on the wood, and later, it flakes off like snow.

In Bible times, the crimson dye was used to color the High Priest's robe and other threads or fabrics used in the temple. The dye is still used today for dye, shellac, and even medicine.  The tiny creature is crushed to release the scarlet dye . . . 

Jesus was crushed so that His blood might cover our sins. From humankind's point of view, He was scorned, despised, insulted, and hated. Verses 7-8 describe the exact words and actions of Jesus' enemies when He was on the cross -- they even mocked His claims of trust in God, as the psalm says. 

Just as the crimson worm attaches herself to the tree or fence, Jesus put Himself on a wooden cross. He willingly allowed the nails to be driven into His hands. Don't get the idea, though, that those nails held Him there . . . it was His desire to fulfill the purpose and plan of the Father to redeem man from sin. 

who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (Galatians 1:4)

Just as the activities of the crimson worm is part of God's design, so also it was God's plan before the foundations of the world to send His Son:

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (II Timothy 1:9)

When the mother worm is crushed, the crimson dye covers the babies and marks them, just as Jesus was bruised for our iniquities, and His blood marks us as His own:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

The crimson worm young are dependent upon the mother to give them life; repentant sinners must depend on the blood of Jesus to receive new life:

knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (I Peter 1:18-19)

Jesus Christ, God's Son, became poor. He became as a lowly worm. He gave His blood - the blood that washes us clean and gives us life.

“Come now, and let us debate your case,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They shall become as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)