IN NARNIA, ASLAN IS KING OF THE WOOD – IN OUR WORLD, JESUS IS KING OF KINGS
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“I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion – THE Lion, the great Lion.” – Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis –
Narnia… a magical world where Aslan the lion is the great and revered ruler in a land of talking beasts. As the Christian author C.S. Lewis explains, “The whole Narnian world is about Christ.” Aslan is King of kings of this imaginary realm just as Christ is King of kings in our world.
The story begins with Narnia under the powerful spell of the evil White Witch, causing it to be always winter and never Christmas. Young Lucy Pevensie stumbles upon this world by chance, entering through the door of a wardrobe. When her three siblings happen into the magical realm, her brother Edmund is led astray by the White Witch. Lucy, Peter and Susan seek refuge in the home of two beavers from whom they first learn of Aslan the lion…
“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Aslan is “Lord of the Wood”. Narnians are in both awe and fear of him. Throughout Narnia’s history, Aslan has always been their protector and rescuer. He is safe for the reason that they can trust him. However, he also calls his followers to battle the darkness and evil in the land. That is not the safe path.
Yet Aslan can be trusted because he is good. He is their powerful and benevolent king. This “son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea” desires only good for all of Narnia.
Is Jesus safe? He is safe because we can trust Him to be our King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our glorious and victorious Savior. However, He does not call us to a “safe” life following Him. We are to take up our cross daily. He calls us to battle the darkness and evil in the world… to take risks for His kingdom and His glory.
Yet we have faith that Jesus is altogether good. He is our gracious and sovereign Lord… Son of the Most High God… who wants only the best for us. We can trust in His absolute goodness.
“Courage, child: we are all between the paws of the true Aslan.”
As the story unfolds, Aslan redeems Edmund’s life from the White Witch by sacrificing his own life for the rebel boy. Aslan returns to life as the glorious savior of Narnia. He empowers all with bravery and confidence to go to battle against the darkness. For he will be with them… and they will be protected “between the paws” of Aslan.
Aslan also reveals his warmhearted, gentle side to the Pevensie children as well as to his devoted Narnians. His deep love and compassion for them all is displayed in his role as their defender. He brings victory to Narnia. Winter melts and springtime blooms in the land. Aslan proves his absolute authority over the power of darkness.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1
In our world, Christ is King of all. We honor Him in reverence of His majesty and accept His sacrifice on our behalf as our Redeemer. Our resurrected, risen Lord is victorious over all evil. In Him we are protected and sealed for all eternity.
Jesus is not only our awesome King… He is our kind and loving Lord. He displayed His compassion during His earthly ministry… just as He does in our lives daily. We have His assurance that He will be with us always… to be our Protector and Defender. In Jesus, our King of kings, we find our refuge and strength. We are courageous knowing that His powerful presence goes before us as we fight against the evil in this world.
