I’m sure when most of us think of sponges we think of the artificial, rectangular sponges which come in all sizes and colors. But the best sponges are still those from the ocean, and they still have many uses because the artificial sponges are often too hard and scratchy.
Surprisingly, sponges are not plants but animals, although in the simplest form. Their bodies are made up of millions of cells honeycombed with tubes. Unlike most other animals they have no blood vessels, nerves, brain, stomach or other organs.
Small hairs on the surface draw large amounts of water through millions of pores into a hollow center where tiny plants and sea life are strained out to provide nourishment. This goes on 24 hours a day.
There are over 4000 kinds of sponges, from pinhead size to some six feet tall. The more common ones have a dull black color, but some are quite pretty. Among the many kinds, finger sponges look like long pink fingers. Others also have names to fit their appearance, such as breadcrumb, horny and elephant’s ear. Some look like large vases and are prized by collectors, especially those that are yellow, pink, red, purple or green. Still others, called glass sponges, are just as pretty. They look like feather dusters, umbrellas, unusual carvings or long embroidered tubes.
Having no physical way to defend themselves, sponges would soon be destroyed by fish and animals except that the Creator has not left them without any type of defense. To discourage hungry prowlers, they give off a bad odor that keeps most of these enemies away.
Sponges are usually harvested by divers, sometimes in very deep water. All of the outside portion is stripped away, leaving only the clean inside parts to be sent to markets.
The next time you use a natural sponge, think how it is one of the innumerable things made by the Creator for man’s benefit. Also think about the fact that He watches over and delights in every one of them.
The scene at Calvary’s cross, told in our opening Bible verse, reminds us of the cruelty of those who crucified the Lord Jesus Christ and of His love in enduring the awful suffering. The offer of a sponge soaked in vinegar was perhaps meant as a little act of kindness. But the Lord did not accept it, choosing rather to pay in full, without any relief, the load He bore in accepting God’s punishment for sin.
What does His wonderful love mean to you? Have you personally thanked Him for dying on the cross for you? He longs to hear every boy and girl and every grown-up not only thank Him, but accept Him as his or her very own Saviour. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
OCTOBER 19, 1997
ML-10/19/1997