There are many symbols around the Easter celebration from Easter eggs and hot cross buns to Easter lilies and Spring flowers, and even the Easter bunny. Some are very helpful in the celebration of the new life in our risen Lord Jesus, while others may be a little confusing (like a bunny hiding chicken eggs!). I think the symbol of the butterfly is one of the more helpful ones. Its whole life cycle is meant to symbolize the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The first stage is that of a caterpillar which might represent Jesus’ earthly life as truly a man. The second phase is the cocoon stage, depicting Jesus’ death and burial in a tomb. The glorious third stage is that of the beautiful butterfly representing Jesus’ victorious resurrection from the dead. What a meaningful symbol of the life death and resurrection of the God-man, Jesus! With this in mind, consider the following butterfly parable:
“As a butterfly soared overhead, one caterpillar said to the other, ‘You’ll never get me up in one of those things.’ Yet for every caterpillar the time comes when the urge to eat and grow subsides and he instinctively begins to form a chrysalis around himself. The chrysalis hardens and you’d think for all the world that the caterpillar is dead. But one spring morning the life inside the chrysalis begins to writhe, the top cracks open, and a beautifully-formed butterfly emerges. For hours it will stand stretching and drying its wings, moving them slowly up and down, up and down. And then, before you know it, the butterfly glides aloft, effortlessly riding the currents of the air, alighting on flower after gorgeous flower, as if to show off its vivid colors to the bright blossoms.”
On Easter morning the disciples saw Jesus’ grave clothes lying on the cold slab. Only the corpse was gone, much like an empty chrysalis deserted by a butterfly who has left to soar free. “He is risen as He said,” an angel told the incredulous disciples. Later that day he appeared to the disciples, and then, over the course of the next few weeks, to as many as five hundred people at one time. Even “Doubting Thomas” didn’t doubt for long that Jesus was really risen from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave is God’s proof to us that death is not the end. He conquered death and the devil, and paid the price of sin. The empty tomb and Jesus’ Spirit within us testify that Easter morning is God’s triumph over death. And ultimately, Jesus promised, God will raise from the dead all who believe in His Son.
Why do Christians gather to celebrate Easter morning? To show off their fine clothes or give a ritual tip of the hat to religion? God forbid – but sadly for some this is true! Rather we gather to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death itself. Since He is our Lord and our Savior with whom we are united through Holy Baptism, His victory is our victory! In celebrating His resurrection we celebrate our own assurance of ultimate triumph over death and the hope of eternal life!
Join us this Easter as we celebrate Life! And if you look closely Easter morning, you might even see a butterfly alight on the lilies.
Pastor Dennis Krueger