God’s Love Letter to You
God is doing something so beautiful.
Tonight, when I turned on the television, there was a livestream of the lunar eclipse.
But this one is special. Here’s why.
This one is special because it aligns with some pretty significant events!
This type of lunar eclipse is a penumbral eclipse, also called “worm” (1).
In Hebrew it is tola, and it can be properly translated in two ways: either as “worm” or as “scarlet material.” The context determines the meaning. (2)
This “worm” aligns with these bible verses:
Fear not, you worm Jacob,
you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD;
your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14 ESV)(3)
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people. (Psalm 22: 6 ESV). If you read on, this chapter goes on to describe the events surrounding Jesus’” crucifixion. (4)
“Like the “crimson worm,” Jesus hung from a tree, stained the wood, crimson, and died giving life to others.”(5)
Today (March 24, 2024) commemorates Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem as Messiah and King, riding on a donkey, and the crowds worshiped him with palm leaves. [10] (He was fulfilling prophecy — Did you know that our hands resemble palms to worship God?)
Scholarly research indicates that there was a blood moon during this time.(6)
God is literally recreating Holy Week leading up to the Resurrection! This is the Lord’s love letter to us, reminding us of his faithful love.
Please don’t take this lightly.
God is faithful, and he loves you. He gave his only son to die for us. This week commemorates this unselfish, loving event:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16–17 ESV)(7)
“Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6–7 ESV)(8)
Here’s how you can accept Jesus as your Lord and savior:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9–13 NIV)(9).
The choice is yours.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24 ESV)
References:
- [1] Tonight’s “Worm Moon” coincides with a subtle lunar eclipse (msn.com)
- [2] Why does God call Jacob a worm in Isaiah 41:14? | GotQuestions.org
- [3] Isaiah 41 | ESV.org
- [4] Psalm 22 | ESV.org
- [5] Why does God call Jacob a worm in Isaiah 41:14? | GotQuestions.org
- [6] Humphreys, C. J., & Waddington, W. G. (1992). The Jewish calendar, a lunar eclipse and the date of Christ’s crucifixion. Tyndale Bulletin, 43(2), 331–351; *350.
- [7] John 3 | ESV.org
- [8] Isaiah 55 | ESV.org
- [9] THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.
- [10] Matthew 21:1–9; Mark 11:1–10; Luke 19:28–40; John 12:12–19 — Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage,… | ESV.org
- [11] John 5 | ESV.org
