Metamorphosis & Miracles: What Butterflies Teach Us About Faith

It’s amazing how many things in nature help to tell the stories of faith, God, and Jesus.

I’m thinking today of butterflies.

The butterfly’s metamorphosis can be used as a symbol of resurrection, transformation, and new creation.

^“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Monarch butterflies start out as tiny eggs the size of a ball point pen tip. They cling to the underside of milkweed leaves. After a few days they emerge as teeny-tiny striped caterpillars. They eat the leaves their eggs once clung to and grow to be about 2 inches long. Then they cling to a branch from their hind legs that are firmly attached with “thread” of their own making.

Their skin splits and falls off and their pale green naked body hardens into a hard case with black and gold “jewels” circling the edge. A few weeks later, the case (or chrysalis) cracks open and a wet droopy form pushes itself out. It starts out as an ugly mass of black and orange. The wings are crumpled and the legs are clumsy, searching for something to cling to.

But soon the wings become smooth and beautiful, marked in orange, black and white. And the butterfly starts a whole new life.

What started as a tiny little caterpillar, who was restricted to a life lived within a few inches on a leaf, turns into an amazing butterfly. The butterfly flies free, venturing miles and miles across the earth.

The name for this transformation is metamorphosis. The Greek word “metamorphoo” is mentioned twice in the Bible.

“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)

These verses talk about the change that takes place when we believe in Jesus Christ and grow to be like Him. Much as the Monarch, we start life as lowly caterpillars until we accept Jesus and fulfill our potential for a full and free life.

Of course an instant transformation begins when we are saved and we become new creatures in Jesus Christ. But there is an ongoing transformation that happens as well. “Metamorphoo” talks about that ongoing transformation. It’s the growth that happens during the time after we are saved and before our final transformation (after death). During this period, God is at work in us, changing us into a reflection of Him. The changes the caterpillars and pupa go through mimics this time of “metamorphoo”. The lowly caterpillar is changed, piece by piece, into something beautiful. And so are we!

One day the process in us will be finished and we will leave the chrysalis of this world and be fully transformed.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

What a beautiful thought.

The caterpillar’s “death” in the cocoon and emergence as a new creature can also symbolize Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus died, was wrapped in cloth, and emerged three days later.

To celebrate and teach all this to children, what could be more fun than a caterpillar and butterfly craft?

What you’ll need:

Paint and paintbrush
Leaves from the yard.
Paper

Instructions:

Paint the backs of leaves. Two large and two smaller leaves will be needed for each butterfly.

Ann Kirsten

You can also just repaint your leaves if desired.

Ann Kirsten

I found it helpful to use a dry brush with a small amount of craft paint. Use your imagination on colors and patterns.

Press the leaves, paint side down onto paper in the shape of butterfly wings.

Paint (or pen) a simple butterfly body. Add features with a toothpick dipped in paint or a pen.

Ann Kirsten

You could use different leaves to make a variety of butterflies. After all, we are all different!

For the caterpillar, paint some leaves with green paint and press them onto the paper too. Dip your fingertips into paint for a caterpillar and add legs and other features with a pen.