This is a chapter from the book The Character of Creatures: What the Animal Kingdom Teaches Us About God and His Word.
New Life – The Butterfly
How can you make a caterpillar fly? You could build him a little
paper airplane with a little crash helmet, and he may take a few flights, but
is he really flying or are you making him fly?
Why can’t that caterpillar fly? He doesn’t have wings, his
weight distribution is all off, and he is content to just sit on a branch
munching leaves all day. But God wills that he takes to the air, so something
amazing happens.
God gave us the caterpillar and butterfly to illustrate:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. ~
2 Corinthians 5:17
Discussion:
1.
Why do we need to be made new? Do you look more
like Adam or Christ today? What does the Bible call the chrysalis stage when
you are made new? (Answer in Discussion Question #3)
2.
How can you tell that a butterfly has been
regenerated from a caterpillar? Do you just have to take his word for it, or
are there signs?
3.
When Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John
3:7, answer to Question #1), did he mean something as extreme as a grubby
little caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly? Has something so drastic
happened to you?
To
run, to walk, the law demands
But gives us neither feet nor hands
Better news the gospel brings
Bids us fly and gives us wings! ~ Attributed to John Bunyan
