Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 46

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Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE CRIMSON WORM

Note: There will be no Somehing to Think About or Bible Study for the next two weeks while Dr. Barclay takes a well-deserved break.

THE CRIMSON WORM*

The Bible contains many features which are unusual and sometimes difficult to fully comprehend. But in many cases, they illustrate just how complex this world can be and how so much of it can refer to Christ. The word “worm” is used a number of times in the Bible and in most cases the Hebrew word “rimnah” is used to define it. But in Psalm 22, considered a prophetic Psalm written by David, the word used is “tola’ath” referring to a specific worm - a crimson grub.

Psalm 22 has David stating:

But I am a worm, and no man;

A reproach of men, and despised by the people. 

(Psalm 22:6)

In general, the word worm in the Bible refers to decay, sin, humility, and redemption. Psalm 22 is considered a reference to Christ’s passion and resurrection, and David seems to make this statement both in reference to himself and in reference to Christ who will have the sins of the world placed upon Him. But why such a reference at all?

The crimson worm is a unique little grub; the female of which, when ready to lay her eggs, climbs a particular type of oak tree and attaches herself firmly to that tree, her shell turning into a hard, crimson shelter. After her eggs hatch, she provides protection for them and also nutrition as the young feed on the mother’s body eventually killing her. The mother’s death produces a crimson type dye that stains the tree and her offspring for the duration of their lives. At death, the mother worm no longer remains crimson but turns white. Her tail, retracting towards her head, turns her body into a heart shaped configuration which tends to flake off leaving only a crimson stain on the tree, a process which takes about three days.

It states in Isaiah:

…Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow… 

(Isaiah 1:18)

Although we often think of the majesty of God’s creation, and of the spectacular grandness of His universe with the perfection of His laws, we don’t often consider how even the lowest of His creatures may reflect His purpose and plan. Romans states that:

…His invisible attributes are clearly seen, 

being understood by the things that are made, 

even His eternal power and Godhead… 

(Romans 1:20)

And so it is not only the grandeur and beauty of nature which reveals this but also apparently some of the lowest creatures that exist. In its life cycle, and in its own way, the crimson worm illustrates how the scarlet sin of man can be made once again as white as snow and how the sacrifice of one is made for others. And the duration involved is three days, the time between Christ’s death and resurrection. Even this event seems to be reflected in some of the lowest forms in God’s creation.

It really is something interesting to think about. 

Some material from Reformed Free Publishing, The Crimson Worm

 

Blake Storey May 31, 2026

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Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 45

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 45

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Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE FEW

THE FEW

Most, if not all, of the civilizations that have existed since civilization began have believed in an existence after this present life. And, after all, who would not like to see their family, friends, and relatives again in the future after this life is over? This is the reason we often speak of seeing someone again in heaven after a death; and again we often use this passage in John…

In My Father’s house are many mansions; 

if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you. 

(John 14:2)

…as evidence that we will all meet again in the future.

But is possible that we are all being a bit too optimistic about events when we say such things? After all, although the Bible does state that:

[God] desires all men to be saved 

and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

(1Timothy 2:4)

And…                 

…whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

(Romans 10:13)

The catch is that not everyone calls on the Lord’s name.

Jesus makes this clear when He says that:

…No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

(John 14:6) 

Therefore, there are qualifications to our life after this world’s existence.

The Bible points this out in a number of other ways as well. Jesus points out the apparent difference in man’s perception of the way to the afterlife and God’s prescribed path. He says: 

…whatever you want men to do to you, 

do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Enter by the narrow gate; 

for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, 

and there are many who go in by it.

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, 

and there are few who find it. 

(Matthew 7:12-14)

The gate is really only one-person wide and many refuse to accept that restriction with the result that they miss the way to life.

This was illustrated many times during Christ’s ministry on earth. He often ministered to thousands of people with the result that many followed Him everywhere and, at least on one occasion, wanted to make Him their king. But many followed Him for what they thought He could do for them and not for who He really was. Therefore, when He said:

“…no one can come to Me 

unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

From that time many of His disciples went back 

and walked with him no more. 

(John 6:65-66)

Even after His resurrection in the upper room when the disciples gathered, the Bible states that:

 

…the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty… 

(Acts 1:15)

So, even after all He spoke to during His ministry, and even after His deity was shown by His resurrection, the people who continued with Him to the end numbered in the low hundreds. Many began but only a few remained, and perhaps this illustrated what He referred to as the narrow gate - where the way may be difficult but it leads to life and…

…there are few who find it. 

(Matthew 7:14)

Ensuring that you are one of those few is certainly something to think about.

Rev Steve Webb May 24, 2026

 

Rev Steve Webb May 24, 2026

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Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 44

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