“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)
We can at times feel unwanted. Those we wish were in our lives, see no need for us in theirs. They have “moved on” without us. Though we once benefited them in some way, we are no longer useful.
Multitudes once flocked to the ministry of Jesus. So many sought His help, that the worst cases couldn’t even get near Him. Desperate people broke through roofs and crawled through crowds. But, that was not to last. As He stood before Pilate, the crowd cried out, “Crucify Him!” The popular Healer became the despised Worm. “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” (Psalm 22:6)
Before people dismiss you, they despise you. You have as much value to them as a worm. Who cares whether a worm lives or dies? Who cares what a “worm” has to say? We can hurt our own cause by offending people. James wrote: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man …” (James 3:1,2) Our biggest enemy is often our own big mouth. But the Perfect Man offended no one by the words He spoke, except the disobedient. And because of the words He spoke, and the witness He gave, the darkness had to put Him away.
Would you be a light to your world? Would you speak God’s words and not your own? Would you do His will? Then know there is a time when some will sit at your feet. But know also there will be times when you must pick up your cross and follow your Master. You are not above Him. Your humble willingness to be a worm may be the greatest assignment of your life.