Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Metamorphosis (in an insect or amphibian) is the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
Many insects in the immature stage not only look completely different but also have completely different habitats from the adult. For example, a caterpillar eats a lot and grows quickly. It increases in size more than 3000 times in 2 weeks. Then the caterpillar finds a safe spot to become a pupa where it grows into a beautiful butterfly. The pupa that is stuck on the tree grows into an adult butterfly and finds new habitats as a winged butterfly. This is how the process of spiritual metamorphosis will also be.
Unless we devour the Word of God like a ravenous caterpillar we will not be able to grow. There will also be seasons of loneliness, betrayal, hurts and bruises when we will be stuck in a cocoon. Only through this painful process of aloneness will we grow wings that will help us to fly.
We see this in the life of Peter. While the disciples were with Jesus, they were like tiny rapacious caterpillars devouring spiritual manna. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68). However, during the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter hid himself in the cocoon of fear and shame. It was in the cocoon of loneliness, regret and disappointment that matured Peter into a winged butterfly. After the cocoon experience, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17b). The mistakes of his life matured him into the great apostle on whom the church was built. Spiritual metamorphosis transformed Peter into a zealous, integrous, powerful preacher.
“The process of spiritual metamorphosis transforms us into a new person”.
Three distinct transformations through Spiritual Metamorphosis:
1. Fear: The same Peter who fumbled, lied and denied Jesus three times became bold and courageous after the spiritual metamorphosis. He was able to speak up to the same religious leaders, who made him tremble, with audacious bravery. Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:29). Fear turns into courage.
2. Fake: Fictitious behaviour, flaunting and façade will be replaced with faithfulness. Hypocrisy will be destroyed in the cocoon of transformation. We will become transparent, tenacious and truthful. Our façade will be stripped and replaced with faithfulness.
3. Frivolous: Spiritual metamorphosis changes a frivolous and careless personality into a purposeful person. The frivolous become fastidious.
Spiritual metamorphosis transforms us to the likeness of Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Prayer: King Jesus, I submit myself to go through the spiritual metamorphosis to grow in your word, develop the fruit of the spirit and mature spiritually. Make me more like you Jesus. Amen.
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