The Miracle of the Monarchs
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
During his earthly ministry, Jesus would often pause to point out common objects in the world in which we live and use them to us teach timeless truths. He would say, “Look at the birds of the air.” Or “Have you considered the lilies of the field?” By noting these things carefully, we are often able to understand wonderful spiritual truths. So my question today is this: Have you ever considered the butterfly? More particularly the Monarch Butterfly? Monarchs are incredibly fascinating creatures. A glimpse into their life reveals some amazing information. For example did you know that Monarchs on the East Coast of the United States have a 3000 mile migratory cycle? The Monarch butterflies which we see during the summer in Connecticut will begin a migration in late August, which ultimately ends in Central Mexico. How can an insect as delicate and frail as a butterfly make a 3000 mile round trip? The answer is, “It can’t.” Let me explain.
The average life cycle of one butterfly, from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly, to death is 6-8 weeks. So how can the migration take place? Here’s how it works: During Feb./March hibernating monarchs in Mexico awaken, become active, mate and begin the flight northward. They lay their eggs along the way and die. March/ April - The next hatching generation are born and continue northward, living 6-8 weeks. May/June. Another generation is born and arrives at their summer destination during the months July and August. During these months, a 3rd generation is born which heads south again as fall approaches. During Sept. & Oct. a fourth generation is born and finishes the migration southward. But this generation has a longer lifespan than the others. This special generation actually lives 6-8 months in Mexico. Upon arriving at their destination they go into hibernation until they awaken in Feb/March. At which time they mate and begin the cycle all over again. Now here is the amazing part; no single butterfly ever makes its way to Mexico and back again. Yet thousands converge on the same site, year after year after year. These insects somehow know where to go, but none of them have ever been there before! In fact, the butterflies that arrive back to winter in Mexico every year are removed by four generations from their predecessors. And don’t forget each generation goes through a complete metamorphosis involving four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and finally adult butterfly. How do they make it back each year to the same location without any memory imprint?
Entomologists have formulated a number of theories in answer to the insect’s uncanny ability to return to the same place each year. Some theories suggest the butterflies sense decreasing daylight hours and respond by heading south to avoid the approaching cold winter months. But how do butterflies know that winters are going to be cold? None of them have ever experienced winter! Another theory suggests the insects might follow a path that loosely correlates with the distribution of milkweed, which is necessary for the larvae to feed upon. This theory hypothesizes that migrational patterns in the distant path have been incorporated into the monarch’s genetic code and somehow produce the cyclical migrations we now observe.
However they arrive at their yearly destination, one thing is for sure; Monarchs are mysterious and miraculous and amazingly responsible. Now catch this: each generation plays a part in aiding the next generation to find its way home. That’s the goal of every generation of butterflies. The miracle of the Monarch is that every generation recognizes its responsibility to move the next generation closer to home. Nobody has to teach them. Nobody has to educate them. They just know it’s their purpose. Each generation sacrifices itself so that the following generation makes it home. That my friend is the story of the Church. Not only that, it’s our responsibility.
In the passage above Jesus is teaching his followers that His primary goal in our life is to help us make our way home. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. “Don’t you worry – I’ve got a place for you.” He says. “You haven’t been there yet, and you probably won’t be able to imagine how wonderful it actually is. But don’t you doubt its existence.” The reason Jesus came and the reason He will return some day, is so we can make it home safely. In Christ, there is no such thing as a homeless person. Every person has the opportunity to make it home safely, because of the sacrifice he made on our behalf. Once we realize this wonderful truth and receive it, we then have a responsibility - to look at the generation that will follow us and pave the way for them by the sacrificial service we give for others. Unlike the butterflies – the way home for us has been made known. It is through grace by faith in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ given at Calvary. For every believer – the cross shows us the way home.
So the next time you see a Monarch, watch it carefully. It may seem rather aimless as it floats from one flower to the next. But it only seems that way. He will actually be very intent on making his way home. As you watch that beautiful, wise, little creature, be reminded that Jesus has prepared a home for you. And His plan is that you would be willing to aid the next generation that follows you to find its way home as well. Consider the butterfly and learn from it.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
During his earthly ministry, Jesus would often pause to point out common objects in the world in which we live and use them to us teach timeless truths. He would say, “Look at the birds of the air.” Or “Have you considered the lilies of the field?” By noting these things carefully, we are often able to understand wonderful spiritual truths. So my question today is this: Have you ever considered the butterfly? More particularly the Monarch Butterfly? Monarchs are incredibly fascinating creatures. A glimpse into their life reveals some amazing information. For example did you know that Monarchs on the East Coast of the United States have a 3000 mile migratory cycle? The Monarch butterflies which we see during the summer in Connecticut will begin a migration in late August, which ultimately ends in Central Mexico. How can an insect as delicate and frail as a butterfly make a 3000 mile round trip? The answer is, “It can’t.” Let me explain.
The average life cycle of one butterfly, from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly, to death is 6-8 weeks. So how can the migration take place? Here’s how it works: During Feb./March hibernating monarchs in Mexico awaken, become active, mate and begin the flight northward. They lay their eggs along the way and die. March/ April - The next hatching generation are born and continue northward, living 6-8 weeks. May/June. Another generation is born and arrives at their summer destination during the months July and August. During these months, a 3rd generation is born which heads south again as fall approaches. During Sept. & Oct. a fourth generation is born and finishes the migration southward. But this generation has a longer lifespan than the others. This special generation actually lives 6-8 months in Mexico. Upon arriving at their destination they go into hibernation until they awaken in Feb/March. At which time they mate and begin the cycle all over again. Now here is the amazing part; no single butterfly ever makes its way to Mexico and back again. Yet thousands converge on the same site, year after year after year. These insects somehow know where to go, but none of them have ever been there before! In fact, the butterflies that arrive back to winter in Mexico every year are removed by four generations from their predecessors. And don’t forget each generation goes through a complete metamorphosis involving four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and finally adult butterfly. How do they make it back each year to the same location without any memory imprint?
Entomologists have formulated a number of theories in answer to the insect’s uncanny ability to return to the same place each year. Some theories suggest the butterflies sense decreasing daylight hours and respond by heading south to avoid the approaching cold winter months. But how do butterflies know that winters are going to be cold? None of them have ever experienced winter! Another theory suggests the insects might follow a path that loosely correlates with the distribution of milkweed, which is necessary for the larvae to feed upon. This theory hypothesizes that migrational patterns in the distant path have been incorporated into the monarch’s genetic code and somehow produce the cyclical migrations we now observe.
However they arrive at their yearly destination, one thing is for sure; Monarchs are mysterious and miraculous and amazingly responsible. Now catch this: each generation plays a part in aiding the next generation to find its way home. That’s the goal of every generation of butterflies. The miracle of the Monarch is that every generation recognizes its responsibility to move the next generation closer to home. Nobody has to teach them. Nobody has to educate them. They just know it’s their purpose. Each generation sacrifices itself so that the following generation makes it home. That my friend is the story of the Church. Not only that, it’s our responsibility.
In the passage above Jesus is teaching his followers that His primary goal in our life is to help us make our way home. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. “Don’t you worry – I’ve got a place for you.” He says. “You haven’t been there yet, and you probably won’t be able to imagine how wonderful it actually is. But don’t you doubt its existence.” The reason Jesus came and the reason He will return some day, is so we can make it home safely. In Christ, there is no such thing as a homeless person. Every person has the opportunity to make it home safely, because of the sacrifice he made on our behalf. Once we realize this wonderful truth and receive it, we then have a responsibility - to look at the generation that will follow us and pave the way for them by the sacrificial service we give for others. Unlike the butterflies – the way home for us has been made known. It is through grace by faith in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ given at Calvary. For every believer – the cross shows us the way home.
So the next time you see a Monarch, watch it carefully. It may seem rather aimless as it floats from one flower to the next. But it only seems that way. He will actually be very intent on making his way home. As you watch that beautiful, wise, little creature, be reminded that Jesus has prepared a home for you. And His plan is that you would be willing to aid the next generation that follows you to find its way home as well. Consider the butterfly and learn from it.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 10:18 AM
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