CHRIST THE WORM

SERMON STARTER

Psalm 22 is called a “Messianic Psalm. In this incredible Psalm, David acts in a prophetic way by predicting the Lord’s death by crucifixion one thousand years before crucifixion was devised as a method of execution. David uses a creative poetic device by writing in the first person. He graphically and with amazing detail allows us to see, feel and sense the agony of crucifixion. This sermon explores the implication of one statement from the Psalm in verse six,

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.”                                                                                                                                 Psalm 22:6 

In English the picture of a worm is awful enough, but when the Psalm 22:6 word “worm” is viewed in Hebrew, the meaning is incredibly different. That difference is my motivation in writing and giving this sermon. Research this one if you will. Google is loaded with information about the “Tolah,” the “Scarlet Worm.”

The sermon is one about sacrifice, humility and love.

 

Pastor Phil   <><<

 

 

March 28, 2010 / Palm Sunday

Pastor Phil Roland - Sheepfold Ministries

 

CHRIST THE WORM

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.”                                                                                                                                 Psalm 22:6 

“The last week of Jesus life began with a parade and ended at His Cross. The agony of Christ’s sufferings challenges us to a deeper commitment and walk with Him.  We will follow Him wherever He leads.”  Pastor Phil

 

INTRODUCTION:

Psalm 22 written 1,000 years before Christ’s Crucifixion

1. “Tolah” is called the “Crimson Worm.”

2. Female of the species reproduces by climbing a chosen tree

3. Climbs there of her own accord and will, nobody forces her to go there

4. She climbs the tree and doesn’t intend to climb down again

5. Permanently attaches herself to the tree

6. It then lays her eggs and covers herself and the eggs with a crimson gel

7. On the fourth day on the tree the worm pulls her head and tail together

8. Her lifeless body provides shelter for her young when they are born

9. Her young and the tree all are permanently stained by her sacrifice

10. Her body forms a crimson heart that turns pure white on the fourth day

 

KIBz  = TOW-LAY-AH = 1) A worm that springs from purification

                                            2) “A color scarlet” “A dye used to color a garment”

ROOT = KIz = TOW-LAY-AH = 1) To be stretched out (like a worm)

                                             2) The arms and neck that are stretched out

 

HOW DID CHRIST BECOME A WORM?

I.  JESUS CHOSE NO BEAUTY  - Isa. 53:2

“. . .He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”                                                                                     

            A. No angular faced, Nordic Brad Pitt

                        1. Wouldn’t stand out in a crowd

                        2. Especially the Hollywood crowd

            B. He looked Middle Eastern / Mediterranean

 

II.  JESUS DESIRED NO REPUTATION - Philippians 2:7

“. . .but made himself nothing (no reputation), taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

            A. He gave up the riches and exalted position of ruler of heaven

                        1. We spend our whole lives trying to mean something to                                          someone

                        2. He had it all and gave it up to become our suffering Savior

           

CHRIST THE WORM, cont. p.2   

            B. Took up the robes of human flesh – Philippians 2:5-8

                 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in

                   very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be

                   grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

                   being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a

                   man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death

                   on a cross!”

                        1. Possessed all the limitations of humanity

                        2. His humanity so profound, it included suffering / death!

                                                                                                                         

III. JESUS DESIRED NO REVENGE - Luke 23:33 -34

“When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." 

            A. Jesus showed us how to forgive and bless our enemies

                        1. Forgiveness gives life to Christianity

                        2. We are God’s Tolah – We voluntarily humble ourselves

                        3. Our humility and self-sacrifice makes reproduction possible

            B. Revenge is a luxury that no believer can afford - Romans 12:17-21

                “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all

                  men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with

                  all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to

                  wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

                  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a

                  drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

                  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

 

IV. JESUS KNEW SUFFERING - Isaiah 53:3

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

            A. Jesus was tested in His flesh just as we are – Hebrews 4:15

                “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our

                  weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just

                  as we are--yet was without sin.”

            B. Jesus was a man in every way – Hebrews 2:9

               “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the

                 suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace

                 of God, might taste death for everyone.”

                        1. He knew human suffering, He knows your suffering

                        2. His pain is a bridge to our pain

 

V. JESUS KNEW REJECTION - Psalm 22:6

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.”

            A. Worm is a vile, loathsome thing

                       

CHRIST THE WORM, cont. p.2   

                                               

                        1. Go back to the Snake’s Curse in the garden – Gen. 3:15

                           “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between

                             your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall

                             bruise His heel."

                        2. Deep God-given snake-hatred intended for Satan

            B. David makes a prophetic “Feeling Statement” about Jesus’ Cross

                        1. Jesus felt the emotional pain of rejection – Isaiah 53:3

                           “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and

                             familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces

                             he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

                        2. Jesus suffered great emotional and spiritual pain

                                    a. Rejected by His own followers

                                    b. Seemingly rejected by God on His Cross

                                         “Why have You forsaken me?”

            C. Jesus identifies with we have felt the sting of rejection – John 1:11

                “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the

                  world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not

                  receive Him.”

                        1. Scorn and contempt of those you love and care for       

                        2. Those who heard Him and saw His ministry, hid their faces

VI. JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF THRU DEATH – Psalm 22:14-18

“I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue

clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have

surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced

My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They

divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

            A. Jesus truly died a human death on the Cross - Phil 2:8

                “. . . he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a

                   cross!”

            B. Death is humiliating, especially if it’s involuntary

            C. Humility = a voluntary choice, Jesus chose His Cross – Matt. 16:24

                “"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up                         his cross, and follow Me.”