This week we look at a subject that you would not expect to find in a religious blog, the butterfly. I am not sure but I believe butterflies are not all that common in scripture. It has been noted that as a part of God’s creation they do provide a beautiful picture of spiritual transformation…. The butterfly in the Bible is a symbol of resurrection. It can sustain a comparison to the Christian conversion, resurrection, and transfiguration. What does the scripture say?…
(2 Corinthians 5:17).So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Our God who can transform a caterpillar into a butterfly, can turn sinners into saints. Butterfly just a symbol, could be but God has many ways of speaking to us. That little voice we hear now and then, we refer to it as our conscience just might be the Holy Spirit speaking to us and maybe, just maybe the butterfly is in some simple way a message from God. Christian tradition holds the butterfly to be a symbol of resurrection. In many spiritual, circles the butterfly represents the spirit or soul. What does a butterfly mean spiritually? Butterflies are beautiful and they have in times past been a mystery because there is attached to them a certain symbolism, a metaphor if you will that represents spiritual health, transformation, change, hope and life. The short life of the butterfly reminds us of the shortness of our own life. Butterfly colors also carry a symbolic message…The color blue representing a transformation from human life to everlasting life. The color blue also conveying the emotions of beauty, joy and hope. The old traditions means seeing a white butterfly could be a response to prayer. We are reminded that God has a plan for all of us:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Now I stress that we are dealing with mostly traditional thoughts of the meaning of the butterfly, some that have even made their way into church traditions. These two scriptures could be inspired by the butterfly.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
I had thought that I might be done with this blog but somehow it just wasn’t enough. I am not always the brightest bulb in the box but I do believe that the Spirit answers and guides us in many of our endeavors. Such is the case with this blog today…Dean H Taylor wrote about butterflies not being in the Bible, well by name that is but what a brilliant example of enlighten writing he brings to his article. He writes that Jesus, who always used examples people could relate to in getting his point across would at seeing the beauty of this creation of the Father, most likely would have used it to illustrate some profound truth. But butterflies aren’t in the Bible Mr. Taylor writes….but wait…
‘ The unsightly caterpillar, its range of movement restricted to a few square feet, becomes a Monarch butterfly that will spend the rest of its life as a living miracle, flying above the earth, venturing as far as Mexico on its migratory path.’ (Dean H. Taylor)
This radical change in its original state is called metamorphosis. So it is interesting how Mr. Taylor ties the butterflies journey to our own journey as Christians to become acceptable and the perfect will of God is brought about in our lives. In the two verses below the Greek word metamorphoo is translated with the word “transformed.”
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
There is the striking comparison to be made that the transformation of the butterfly is much like the transformation that takes place in us when we believe in Jesus Christ.What Mr. Taylor goes on to explain is astounding and its full impact can only be appreciated by reading his words.
So I am asking you to go to his post, the link is below…
https://deanhtaylor.com/2014/10/07/butterflies-arent-in-the-bible-wait/
It is worth the read and in these days of focus being on bad news it is a pleasant read.
Life is Good
jk
From The Pew 