Spring & Transformations
Introduction. The changing seasons each year are an excellent parable for the incarnation, transfiguration, resurrection and exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each year, during Springtime, we witness amazing and awe inspiring things that ought to bring praise from our hearts! Trees and shrubs that look dead slowly bud and break forth into green leaves and multitudes of flowers in beautiful contrasts of color, scent, and configuration. Truly our God has the power to make amazing things look common place! What would amaze us has only become common because it happens every year, and God has made it look effortless. Yet if man sought to imitate even the least of these things God has done, even with all our wisdom and technology, we could not do it. A single seed is beyond our comprehension, let alone our ability to reproduce such a seed ourselves. Yet, year after year, vegetation manifests the power of both resurrection and rebirth.
Also during the spring, many living things have a similar, but equally amazing ability to change form. Each year, frogs lay their eggs and we soon witness a small pollywog begin its life. Looking more like a fish than a frog, then as spring turns into summer, tiny legs begin to form under the tail, the tail begins to shrink into the body, and not long after, two tiny legs form just above the lower legs. Finally, as the legs grow longer and the tail gradually disappears entirely, we have a bullfrog, croaking in the reeds of the same pond it once swam in as a pollywog. Once again, God makes the impossible look easy.
When we move to the insect realm, once again, we witness God’s creative power and genius at work. We see an egg on a stem of a plant, looking lifeless. Then suddenly, a small grub emerges and begins its life. Over the next few weeks or months, that grub will grow into a caterpillar of various sizes and colors depending on the kind. We again marvel at how it changes so quickly. Then, at the right moment, it spins its cocoon and though we cannot see inside, our scientists have examined and explored the process. The old body slowly liquefies and reforms itself into the body, legs and wings of a butterfly with colors that often rival the rainbow. While the Greeks called this “metamorphosis, we use the Latin “transform” or “transfiguration” which means exactly the same thing. Something that can change its form or figure in the midst of its life.
If we had never seen these things and someone had told us about them, it would be unbelievable. Yet, because of God’s great power and wisdom, we have seen it, and we know it is not only possible, but commonplace. Everywhere all over the world, every year as spring arrives, vegetation comes to life and frogs and butterflies go through the amazing process of transfiguration or metamorphosis year after year.
I have often wondered when looking at such things, if God did this because He knew it could become a parable that in a tiny way illustrates what happened to the Word when He became flesh. And what happened when He was transfigured before Peter, James and John. And finally, what happened when after the resurrection, He again transformed from the lowly servant crucified on the cross to the King of kings and Lord of lords who now reigns in heaven with power and authority beyond our comprehension! Once again, God has made what we consider impossible into something that is the integral cornerstone of the church and our salvation.
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form (morphe) of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form (morphe) of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (Phil. 2:5-7)
Thus, being fully human at the time, Jesus was still the Word who was with God and was God. Though He became flesh, He retained the memories and essence of His deity. As John said so clearly, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God.” Also, Jesus “had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man”, and told the Pharisees, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (Jn. 13:3-4; 8:58; 2:24-25). Nothing in the creation can prepare us to understand these things, but the many amazing things in this creation reveal the power of our God who can make all things possible with power that is “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!”
In another act of power in the midst of His ministry, Jesus revealed the true essence of His “metamorphosis” in the presence of Peter, James and John. For a few moments, He was “transfigured (metamorpho-o) before them.” In those moments they were allowed to see a glimpse of what Jesus still truly was. What an amazing event! Imagine Jesus face shining like the sun, and then in the midst of this, “behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him.” (Mt. 17:1-2) Peter was so moved that even as the end of his life drew near, he still recalled it as “the majestic glory.” (2 Pet. 1:17)
Yet not only did they see Jesus transfigured, but God also allowed them to see another metamorphosis regarding Moses and Elijah. After their death (Moses about 1,500 years and Elijah about 900 years prior), they had also clearly gone through a metamorphosis in which they changed form, moving from this earthly body, sown in corruption and dishonor, but now appearing in glory with Jesus in His transfiguration and state of glory. Hence even before the resurrection, a wonderful change of form is awaiting each of us at our death if we are worthy.
Also during the spring, many living things have a similar, but equally amazing ability to change form. Each year, frogs lay their eggs and we soon witness a small pollywog begin its life. Looking more like a fish than a frog, then as spring turns into summer, tiny legs begin to form under the tail, the tail begins to shrink into the body, and not long after, two tiny legs form just above the lower legs. Finally, as the legs grow longer and the tail gradually disappears entirely, we have a bullfrog, croaking in the reeds of the same pond it once swam in as a pollywog. Once again, God makes the impossible look easy.
When we move to the insect realm, once again, we witness God’s creative power and genius at work. We see an egg on a stem of a plant, looking lifeless. Then suddenly, a small grub emerges and begins its life. Over the next few weeks or months, that grub will grow into a caterpillar of various sizes and colors depending on the kind. We again marvel at how it changes so quickly. Then, at the right moment, it spins its cocoon and though we cannot see inside, our scientists have examined and explored the process. The old body slowly liquefies and reforms itself into the body, legs and wings of a butterfly with colors that often rival the rainbow. While the Greeks called this “metamorphosis, we use the Latin “transform” or “transfiguration” which means exactly the same thing. Something that can change its form or figure in the midst of its life.
If we had never seen these things and someone had told us about them, it would be unbelievable. Yet, because of God’s great power and wisdom, we have seen it, and we know it is not only possible, but commonplace. Everywhere all over the world, every year as spring arrives, vegetation comes to life and frogs and butterflies go through the amazing process of transfiguration or metamorphosis year after year.
I have often wondered when looking at such things, if God did this because He knew it could become a parable that in a tiny way illustrates what happened to the Word when He became flesh. And what happened when He was transfigured before Peter, James and John. And finally, what happened when after the resurrection, He again transformed from the lowly servant crucified on the cross to the King of kings and Lord of lords who now reigns in heaven with power and authority beyond our comprehension! Once again, God has made what we consider impossible into something that is the integral cornerstone of the church and our salvation.
- And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. (1Tim. 3:16)
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form (morphe) of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form (morphe) of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (Phil. 2:5-7)
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made... 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:1-3, 14)
Thus, being fully human at the time, Jesus was still the Word who was with God and was God. Though He became flesh, He retained the memories and essence of His deity. As John said so clearly, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God.” Also, Jesus “had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man”, and told the Pharisees, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (Jn. 13:3-4; 8:58; 2:24-25). Nothing in the creation can prepare us to understand these things, but the many amazing things in this creation reveal the power of our God who can make all things possible with power that is “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!”
In another act of power in the midst of His ministry, Jesus revealed the true essence of His “metamorphosis” in the presence of Peter, James and John. For a few moments, He was “transfigured (metamorpho-o) before them.” In those moments they were allowed to see a glimpse of what Jesus still truly was. What an amazing event! Imagine Jesus face shining like the sun, and then in the midst of this, “behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him.” (Mt. 17:1-2) Peter was so moved that even as the end of his life drew near, he still recalled it as “the majestic glory.” (2 Pet. 1:17)
Yet not only did they see Jesus transfigured, but God also allowed them to see another metamorphosis regarding Moses and Elijah. After their death (Moses about 1,500 years and Elijah about 900 years prior), they had also clearly gone through a metamorphosis in which they changed form, moving from this earthly body, sown in corruption and dishonor, but now appearing in glory with Jesus in His transfiguration and state of glory. Hence even before the resurrection, a wonderful change of form is awaiting each of us at our death if we are worthy.
- And as He was praying, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment (became) white (and) dazzling. And behold, here talked with Him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory, (Lk. 9:29-31).