Let your being be transformed!
Series: Metamorphosis | Bible text: Romans 12:2
Metamorphosis in zoology is the transformation of the larval form to the adult stage – for example, from a larva to a butterfly. The same term is also used in the Bible in Romans 12:2: «Let your being be transformed!» This is a very interesting description of the maturing process of a follower of Jesus. The imperative challenges us to allow a process in our own lives that is entirely beyond our own ability. No one can bring themselves to spiritual maturity. The creative life-creating action of God must happen to us. We are to seek it and allow it.
Metamorphosis in nature is a fascinating process and shows something of the Creator’s genius. In zoology, the term refers to the transformation of the larval form into the adult stage, the sexually mature, adult animal. A larva transforms into a caterpillar and the caterpillar becomes a butterfly through metamorphosis. The term refers specifically to animals whose juvenile stages differ very markedly in shape and lifestyle from the adult state.
Paul uses the exact same term to describe the development process of a follower of Jesus: «And do not conform to this course of the world, but be transformed [in your being] by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God»(Romans 12:2 Sch). Apparently, there is also a clear divergence here between a person before and while he follows Jesus.
The goal
There are various animals that undergo metamorphosis: Beetles, bees, ants, frogs, butterflies. Two characteristics are common to all: complete metamorphosis and no reproduction in larvae.
Complete transformationAfter metamorphosis, the adult animal looks completely different and also lives and eats differently. A caul is a herbivore. It has gills and lives entirely in water. During the three-month metamorphosis, it grows a lung. The frog can now live on land and in the water. And – it becomes a carnivore, feeding on worms and insects.
In contrast, with most animals – and also with us humans – the young look like a mini version of the great. But the goal of a follower of Jesus is not simply to become older and more experienced. God wants to bring forth something new in us through his life-creating power. Before that, it was adaptation to the course of the world, Through metamorphosis, an ability to examine what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God should grow.. Instead of living as everyone does, we are to become people who know and do the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
There is no reproduction in larvaeOnly the adult animal is sexually mature and can multiply. This is also an important goal of following Jesus. Through metamorphosis we are to become multiplying Christians. Such people are also called spiritual mothers and fathers; people who beget, influence, promote and train the next generation. We live our Christianity not only for ourselves, but always for others.
So the goal of spiritual metamorphosis is to become an entirely new person who invests himself in others. We will go through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) together during the year and there the goal of a follower is described with these words: «But you shall be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect»(Matthew 5:48 NL). The prayer of Francis of Assisi, which we will hear in the teaser throughout the year, finds words for this aspired perfection. It is a precious treasure from the history of the Church!
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
that I love where people hate;
that I forgive where one offends;
that I unite where there is strife;
that I speak the truth where there is error;
that I bring faith where doubt threatens;
that I awaken hope where despair torments;
that I kindle light where darkness reigns;
that I bring joy where sorrow dwells.
Lord, let me strive,
not that I may be comforted, but that I may be comforted;
not that I am understood, but that I understand;
not that I am loved, but that I love.
For he who gives himself receives;
he who forgets himself finds;
he who forgives will be forgiven;
and he who dies awakens to eternal life.
The means
A follower of Jesus is to be transformed into a person who can test and do the good and pleasing and perfect will of God. The means to this end is metamorphosis: «Let your being be transformed!» This whole sentence is derived from the Greek verb metamorphoo translated and it is an imperative passive.
The imperative paints before our eyes the urgency of this transformation. We should want and strive for it! But at the same time, the passive indicates that we cannot do it ourselves. It has to happen to us. In the metamorphosis of animals, it is the hormones that control the process. Who controls the metamorphosis in the spiritual life? Who is behind the passive. Someone has to do it!
When the milking machine was invented, the farmer no longer had to pull the milk out of the udder with his own muscle power. It was done by an electric pump system. Was the milker no longer needed? Very much so, because he first had to attach the machine to the udder so that the machine could do its work. We cannot initiate the process of transformation ourselves, but we absolutely must ensure that the power is applied! We cannot actively bring about the process, but we must allow it.
Last year, Martin Kiener told us about the butterflies in a senior citizens» afternoon. He told us that when the chrysalis is transformed into a butterfly, a new heart is created. This fascinated me and reminded me of a sentence by David in the Psalms: «God, create (bara) in me a pure heart and give me a new, sincere spirit»(Psalm 51:12 NL). In this sentence the same verb occurs as in the creation story: «In the beginning God created (bara) the heavens and the earth»(Genesis 1:1 NL). Bara means the creation out of nothing, the creatio ex nihilo. The activity bara is reserved for God alone. Only He can create something out of nothing. The whole world came into being in this way.
Incidentally, it is the power of the cross with which he brings about the metamorphosis in us. This is impressively depicted in our annual picture. «I pray that you may realise how overwhelmingly great is his power with which he works in us who believe in him. It is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and gave him the place of honour at God’s right hand in heaven.» (Ephesians 1:19f NL). From the cross flows an unstoppable power that can change the followers of Jesus. It is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and gave him the place of honour at God’s right hand in heaven. From larva to butterfly. From adaptation to the course of the world to the test of God’s good and pleasing and perfect will.
Our actions
So our task in this story is to be passive. But this does not mean chill-out, lethargy or indifference. With great intensity, we are supposed to look, to allow, to make sure that what we cannot do ourselves happens. The farmer has to get up at 5:00 in the morning and start the milking machine so that the cow is milked. We have to look at the glory of the Lord so that the metamorphosis happens to us: «Yes, we all see with unveiled face the glory of the Lord. We see it as in a mirror, and by gazing upon the image of the Lord, our whole being is transformed in such a way that we become more and more like Him and share more and more of His glory. This transformation is the work of the Lord; it is the work of his Spirit.» (2 Corinthians 3:18 NGÜ).
Our passivity is only related to metamorphosis. We can become active throughout by beholding the glory of the Lord. We find these first of all in the Bible. But Jesus also reveals himself in creation, in praise and in our neighbour. Let us take time in the new year to contemplate this glory in wonder. It is in contemplating this God that transformation happens, in which we receive more of his glory. We also become what we look at.
The small groups should support us on this path. In a meeting with the leaders of the small groups, we talked about being very specific in the new year. We suggest that we keep a spiritual diary and continuously write down the things we want to hold out to Jesus for transformation. We also want to formulate a meaningful goal for the year. Someone told me that he had set himself the following goal for the year: I want to become a more serene and joyful person. Throughout 2020 he prayed for this intention and amazing things happened – real changes!
This motivates me to also formulate such a goal for myself, which will probably be quite similar. Especially in matters of serenity and enjoying life, I notice that I have become too much the maximum version of little Matthias. Often I still live with similar sentences as in childhood. I let myself be provoked too often, compete with others and cannot enjoy life at all because I am always performing and proving. I will ask for transformation of this tough soup all year. Instead of a colourful, dancing butterfly, I am still too much of a caterpillar, eating my fill. We could be butterflies dancing in the wind, yet too often we hang as pupae on a branch.
There are animals that undergo a metamorphosis. In contrast, with most animals – and also with us humans – the young look like a mini version of the big ones. Unfortunately, this also applies to the spiritual life. A little cutthroat becomes a big one. A small egoist becomes a big one, but one who knows how to conceal this better. It is so sad when, after many years of discipleship, deeply ingrained bad behaviours do not change. When the same destructive relationship patterns are still there. When I still go through life with the same fear. If I am still dependent on the applause of others. If I am still feeling sorry for myself.
Let us put an end to such undesirable patterns together in 2021 and become more women and men who mature refreshingly differently and closer to the perfection of God. The imperative clearly shows that this will not happen without effort. But – how much is following Jesus worth to us?
Possible questions for the small groups
Read Bible text: Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Why don’t you talk about whether you want to work in the small group with a notebook where you write down the things that God puts on your heart?
- What is metamorphosis in zoology? What is it in the spiritual life?
- From which state to which state is the metamorphosis according to Romans 12:2 supposed to transform us?
- What does the imperative passive mean? What does this grammatical form say about the process?
- In what might the imperative show itself in our daily lives (2 Corinthians 3:18)?
- Formulate a meaningful goal for the transformation of your life that you want to pursue throughout the year!
