Do you understand what Jesus said about the worm that does not die? I’ll give you my interpretation and you can decide what you think about it.
Mark 9:42-48 And whosoever
shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend
thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having
two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth
not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend
thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having
two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth
not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend
thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the Kingdom of God with
one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched.
This message is going to be short and to the point. The hand, the foot, the eye, and what it means for them to be cut off is not of interest at this time. We are zeroing in on the phrase “where their worm dieth not.” God’s judgment on those who have offended “these little ones” is to be cast into hell “where their worm dieth not.” Their worm should die, but it does not die. We do understand that behind the hand, foot, and eye that offends is the human nature. There is the real problem – the worm nature of man.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to
this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The Greek word translated “transformed” here is metamorphoo. The English word “metamorphosis” is derived from it. It is the term used for the change of a life form. The worm makes a cocoon around himself. The worm dies, metamorphosis takes place, and when it comes out it is no longer a worm – it is a beautiful butterfly. So Paul is saying here that we are to be transformed in this way; we’re to experience metamorphosis. We are to experience a change of life form – from the human to the divine. This is what the work of the cross is for in our lives, to bring a change of life form.
What happens if we do not submit to the work of the cross? The worm won’t die. That which causes the hand, the foot, and the eye to offend is found in our human nature. That is where the worm lurks. Cut it off with the sword of the Spirit. The worm does not die when the work of the cross is rejected.
Copyright © 2004 by Henry DuBose