Origin of Red

Humor this old teacher and read the next few lines. Give a run at the questions you read. Consider carefully your answers.

Not for this old teacher-for yourself. There is a lot riding on this venture…an eternity…yours. Too serious? Eternity is serious…buckle up…

First question: Where does red come from? Look at the photos of the Red Bellied Woodpecker. Why does it have a red crown of feathers on its head?

We can accept “because it is a male.” The female has a less brilliant red crown.

We can accept “red is a primary color.” But while that is true, it does not answer the question. What if we explain it by using the spectrum of light? When light is broken into its component parts there is a rainbow of color. Red is in the spectrum of light. It has the longest wavelength at around 700 nanometers.

Sorry, while the light spectrum explains the components of light. We are not any closer to the answer to the question, where does the color red come from?

Have an idea? Good…

You say red, yellow and orange are all next to one another on the color wheel of light? You say these three are warm colors? You say, warm colors evoke happiness, energy and optimism?

Very good. This may explain why the woodpecker’s crown is red. To give humans a sense of energetic happiness and optimism. Very good idea. If you spend any time observing the Red Bellied Woodpecker you would agree they are energetic. Their loud calls and undulating flight pattern easily draw the human senses. The striking colors please our eyes. As far as optimism…from a wood pecker? Okay…Sure, the beauty of Red Bellied Woodpeckers, the energy they display in flight and their shy careful behavior in the woods and around bird feeders remind us this part of the world is right. Seeing a Red Bellied Woodpecker is a fine reason for optimism.

Two questions yet.

First, why is the color red in the spectrum of light? Yes, we already said red has the longest wavelength, blue the shortest. The scientific answer does not explain why light, when broken into its component wave lengths has the color red in it.

Last question. We know: red is a color found in the light spectrum. Red is a primary color with blue and green. Red is a warm color. It produces happiness, energy and optimism in humans.

But what is the origin of red?

Answer time. Consider some other facts. Blood is red. Oxygenated blood is red. When the life from oxygen is in blood, its red. Humans have red blood. Here’s another fact. Red is the color of love. Look at valentines-always red or a shade of it. Red is the color of love.

God made red. He made human blood red. He made human eyes enabled to see the light spectrum-with red. He made the human soul to receive the color red and be filled with happiness, energy and optimism. Second, God loves you. He loves me. Red…God put it on earth to remind us of His love for us!

The blood Jesus shed when He died on the cross was red. The blood of Jesus shed for every human on earth in the past, present, or future, provides forgiveness for sin for all who believe.

Why is the crown of a Red Bellied Woodpecker Red? It makes us happy. More important, it reminds us that because Jesus loves us, He shed His blood for us. Red gives us optimism, it speaks to us of eternity, and reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice provides a hope that is eternal.

God made red…for woodpecker heads, and to remind us He loves us.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7