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Print Ask yourself, how precious is the Gospel’s sacrificial Lamb? I’m speaking of Jesus of Nazareth, who sweated blood while agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked that, if possible, God remove the burden of our sin from His Messianic shoulders. Of course, it was not possible, thus He endured a torturous death for our sake. But I ask again, how precious is this sacrifice to you? Most Christians have already been baptized in His name, and consequently have been filled by His spirit. Yet when you consider His sacrifice, does it bring a tear to your eye? The Chronicles of Narnia: The Witch, the Lion, and the Wardrobe masterfully brings its viewers face-to-face with this question. In the original book, author C. S. Lewis intends Aslan the Lion to represent the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ. This characterization is so intentional, that, as legend has it, when J. R. R. Tolkein read the original manuscript, he disapproved of it because its Christian meaning was simply too obvious. In the story, after numerous adventures that bring four young siblings into the enchanted world of Narnia, the wicked Queen cites the law that gives her the right to young Edmund’s life because he has sinned. As she had hoped, Aslan the Lion then steps forward to offer Himself as a sacrifice in place of Edmund. The Queen and her minions find delight as they torture and slay Him whom many call Narnia’s rightful ruler. Lovers of Christ will shed a tear as Aslan endures Edmund’s shame. I hate to ruin the end for you, but if you know the Gospels, then you already know that Aslan returns from the dead, and compels His armies to victory over them who tried to put Him in the grave.
Narnia as Bible Study While finding the movie wholly entertaining, my Gospel-ignorant parents failed to see the tale’s allegorical nature. Once I explained C. S. Lewis’s evangelical intentions, they became fascinated. On the ride home from the theater we explored how different characters and situations in Narnia mirrored the chronicles of the events in Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago. Because of this movie, for the first time, they understood why this man from Galilee has meant so much to me. I explained that, as Aslan died so that Edmund might live, so was Jesus crucified for my sins. I pray that I piqued their interest enough to dust off their Bibles and explore the real Narnia for themselves. While I whole-heartedly endorse this film as an evangelical weapon, please note, its graphic nature is inappropriate for children under age nine. Is it worth the stigma of theater attendance to talk to those who would otherwise be closed to a discussion about Jesus? Will you take somebody to see the magical land that lies within the wardrobe? Whatever you decide, once it becomes available, I urge every family to buy the DVD. C. S. Lewis has presented the Good News in a vehicle that translates to all ages. Through the death and resurrection of Aslan, children and unbelievers can explicitly understand how the Son of Man became the King of Kings. How precious is His blood to you?
ninetyandnine.com © 2006, C. Anderson ------- C. Anderson ministers to his family and many others somewhere in the wilds of Illinois. |
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