Does The Bible Say Anything About Caterpillars Changing Into Butterflies?

Q: My sixth-grade class is studying caterpillars and learning how they change into butterflies. Does the Bible say anything about this? — S.G.

A: There is a spiritual lesson in the study of the caterpillar. The same God who changes the caterpillar can also change you. The Bible tells us not to be conformed to the world but be transformed by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2).

Some caterpillars are colored to resemble the plants on which they feed and often mimic plant parts, such as thorns, thereby conforming to their environment. When it is time for the caterpillar to transform, it attaches itself firmly to a stem or branch and spins a cocoon for protection. Then it waits — usually for months. While it appears motionless on the outside, activity is taking place inside called metamorphosis. Wings form and eventually stretch out to fly. No doubt its view of the world will be quite different in the air than from the ground. From a slithering and destructive insect emerges a magnificent creature, feeding on the sweet nectar of the flowers. The caterpillar is born to crawl, but it is reborn to fly.

What a picture God has given us from nature. It is interesting that the ancient Greek word for butterfly is psyche, meaning the very life of the soul. The caterpillar’s transformation is a symbolic picture of the miracle work of Christ in transforming a lost soul into a vibrant believer who sees the world from a very different perspective — God’s perspective.

Lost souls feed on the toxins of sin. But when souls find salvation in Jesus Christ, they attach themselves firmly to Him and feed on the nutrients of His Word and emerge as new creations. He lifts us up out of the darkened path and points us to a better way.

========

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.