Metamorphoo… it’s the Greek word for TRANSFORM. You probably recognize it from your days in Science class as you studied the “metamorphosis” of the caterpillar into a butterfly. It is the same word used to describe what happened to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration when his appearance changed from that of a normal man to a glistening, shining embodiment of the glory of God… a transformation that three of His disciples witnessed. It is also the same word used in 2 Corinthians 3:18 which states that we (believers) are being “transformed” into the glory of the Lord.
So, let’s put all of this together. A caterpillar is nothing more than a butterfly who has not yet manifested its full glory yet. As Jesus walked this earth He contained all of the glory of Heaven everywhere He went but it was “secretly tucked away” and only seen by His three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration for a short moment in time.
Likewise, the believer has a “hidden glory”… an inward radiance that is concealed from the world’s view. If we were to see the glory that is within each other surely our view and opinions of each other would change, even as I’m sure those three disciples looked at Jesus totally different the rest of their days after that encounter on the Mount. Oh, that we could have a “Mount of Transfiguration” experience with the people in our lives so we could see the true glory that is within each one… to see the Heavenly being that is within instead of the fallible, imperfect shell that we often judge one another by. Yes, we’re all undergoing change… awaiting the day when the metamorphosis will be complete and the full glory is manifested. But just for today, try to imagine that secret, hidden glory concealed within the people you come into contact with. Perhaps a deeper appreciation for who they REALLY are might result.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NAS)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
