It's funny what experiences and phrases will stay with you from childhood. I still remember a line from a song which apparently was popular, for at least a short period of time, in my early childhood. It was a half-funny, half-pathetic little lament from someone who felt rejected and unsuccessful. As I recall, each verse ended with the phrase, "I guess I'll go eat worms."  Most of us can understand the mood of the song, if not the dietary remedy. Every one of us feels like a failure at one time or another. Some people -- Father, have mercy on them! -- feel that way most of the time. On some occasions we don't know why we feel so defeated and unlovable; but at times, nevertheless, we do feel that way. 

Jesus came, one day, upon a trio of defeated men. He had met them before, when they were…