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Sunday, May 18, 2008
Monday, October 16, 2006
Aslan Symbolizes Christ
Aslan, for Narnia, symbolizes Christ—a savior and king who ushers in a new kingdom, brings eternal life, wipes away every tear, and who displays the qualities of both a great lion and a sacrificial lamb.Aslan, like Christ, willingly sacrificed his life in a demonstration of love. Despite being a mighty lion whose thunderous roar causes all to tremble and stand in awe, we find that he is definitely motivated by love and that those who love him have nothing to fear. His big paws—which can lash out without a moment’s notice at the enemy—handle those in his care with much tenderness and consideration.
He will cover you with feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. – Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Excerpt taken from Reflections of Narnia. To read full excerpt click here.
CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy of Free Nature Pictures."
Free Book Excerpts
Here are some excerpts from the the book Reflections of Narnia: A Family Guide to Discovering the Spiritual Truths in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Feel free to read them and enjoy them. They have been listed below in chronological order with the page numbers listed. The Reflections of Narnia book excerpts on this site are mostly in random order. Keep checking back for more free excerpts.
The Gift of a Miracle (pages 14-16)
The Gift of Discovery (pages 23-24)
Clothed in Majesty (pages 25-26)
Feeling Something Deep Inside (pages 27-28)
Following the Path of Sin (pages 29-30)
The Reverent Submission (pages 48-49)
The Great King (pages 61-62)
Many Names and Titles (pages 63-64)
The Gift of a Miracle (pages 14-16)
The Gift of Discovery (pages 23-24)
Clothed in Majesty (pages 25-26)
Feeling Something Deep Inside (pages 27-28)
Following the Path of Sin (pages 29-30)
The Reverent Submission (pages 48-49)
The Great King (pages 61-62)
Many Names and Titles (pages 63-64)
Following the Path of Sin (Excerpt)
And he thought about Turkish Delight and
about being a King (“And I wonder how
Peter will like that?” he asked himself.)
and horrible ideas came into his head.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
When we are consumed with something, we may begin to doubt
the truth and fill our minds with distorted thoughts. This is what
we see happen with Edmund. He cannot stop thinking about the
delicious Turkish Delight the Witch gave him. He believes he needs
to eat it and allows his emotions to control him.
A friend of mine once told me a story of how they capture monkeys
in Africa. He told me that they put candy in a cage and leave a
small door open where the monkey can put his arm in to grab the
candy. When the monkey grabs the candy he has to make a fist, and
when he tries to pull his hand out it gets stuck. My friend told me
that the monkeys would not let go for hours—the people trying
to catch the monkeys would just come up and grab them from
behind.
Sometimes we are like these monkeys. All we have to do is let go
but we hang on to sin with all our energy. It is amazing how far
we will go to not let go. Edmund goes to great lengths to get his
Turkish Delight and to try to fulfill his dreams of becoming king.
We read that he travels for miles in the snow and is freezing as he
works his way toward the Witch’s palace. He undergoes darkness,
loneliness, coldness, body aches, and bruises.
Often we suffer many consequences as we follow the wrong path
and distance ourselves from the truth. It also common, as Edmund
did, to blame others for our unfortunate circumstances as well.
Lewis writes, “And every time this happened he thought more and
more how he hated Peter—just as if all this had been Peter’s fault.”
It is incredible how we succumb to the depths of denial when
we so desperately do not want to give up something. Edmund
demonstrates what can happen to all of us if we allow ourselves to
lose our focus and allow temptation’s pull to take us down the road
to sin.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone
to devour. Resist him, standing fi rm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout the
world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
– 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
For although they knew God, they neither glorifi ed
him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking
became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools….
– Romans 1:21-22 (NIV)
about being a King (“And I wonder how
Peter will like that?” he asked himself.)
and horrible ideas came into his head.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
When we are consumed with something, we may begin to doubt
the truth and fill our minds with distorted thoughts. This is what
we see happen with Edmund. He cannot stop thinking about the
delicious Turkish Delight the Witch gave him. He believes he needs
to eat it and allows his emotions to control him.
A friend of mine once told me a story of how they capture monkeys
in Africa. He told me that they put candy in a cage and leave a
small door open where the monkey can put his arm in to grab the
candy. When the monkey grabs the candy he has to make a fist, and
when he tries to pull his hand out it gets stuck. My friend told me
that the monkeys would not let go for hours—the people trying
to catch the monkeys would just come up and grab them from
behind.
Sometimes we are like these monkeys. All we have to do is let go
but we hang on to sin with all our energy. It is amazing how far
we will go to not let go. Edmund goes to great lengths to get his
Turkish Delight and to try to fulfill his dreams of becoming king.
We read that he travels for miles in the snow and is freezing as he
works his way toward the Witch’s palace. He undergoes darkness,
loneliness, coldness, body aches, and bruises.
Often we suffer many consequences as we follow the wrong path
and distance ourselves from the truth. It also common, as Edmund
did, to blame others for our unfortunate circumstances as well.
Lewis writes, “And every time this happened he thought more and
more how he hated Peter—just as if all this had been Peter’s fault.”
It is incredible how we succumb to the depths of denial when
we so desperately do not want to give up something. Edmund
demonstrates what can happen to all of us if we allow ourselves to
lose our focus and allow temptation’s pull to take us down the road
to sin.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone
to devour. Resist him, standing fi rm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout the
world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
– 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
For although they knew God, they neither glorifi ed
him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking
became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools….
– Romans 1:21-22 (NIV)
Feeling Something Deep Inside (Excerpt)
At the name of Aslan each one of the children
felt something jump in its inside.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
With just the mention of the name of Aslan, the children feel
a strange sensation from within. Most of them felt a sense of
hope breathed into them. Peter is described as feeling bold and
courageous, Susan as if charmed by a wonderful song, and Lucy
with a sense of excitement.
Only Edmund is described as feeling a mysterious horror inside.
Something inside of these children is ignited in hearing the name
of Aslan. For Peter, Susan and Lucy it is hope, excitement, and
courage that spring up whereas for Edmund, it is fear that rises in
his heart.
For the children it is as if this name, Aslan, is able to reveal their
heart’s thoughts and attitudes and either bring a warm message of
hope to them or a pang of fear—depending on whether they stand
on the side of good or evil.
Many times when we are faced with the truth, our conscience will
either feel a peace (because we are right with God) or a strange
conviction that may bring fear and discomfort. Edmund felt
discomfort and horror.
Aslan is drawing nearer, and with his return will come spring. An
old rhyme is recited to the children that tells them of his return:
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.
Soon Edmund’s heart will be revealed and the Witch’s plans
foiled. Edmund can feel this but he chooses to ignore the pang
in his heart. The other children find themselves in the midst of
an adventure and are given hope and courage to accomplish their
purpose and destiny. They align themselves with the right path.
For us, we are told by the ancient scriptures that the Messiah is
coming back and on his return he will dwell with us, will wipe
every tear from our eyes, and will abolish death and mourning and
pain (Revelation 21:3-4). This truth brings us hope and give us the
courage to fulfill our part in his great plan. May we listen to the
Voice or pang in our heart when we feel a strange sensation within,
beckoning us to align ourselves with God’s ways and truth.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in
all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything
is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to
whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
And we have the word of the prophets made more
certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as
to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in your hearts. – 2 Peter
1:19 (NIV)
felt something jump in its inside.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
With just the mention of the name of Aslan, the children feel
a strange sensation from within. Most of them felt a sense of
hope breathed into them. Peter is described as feeling bold and
courageous, Susan as if charmed by a wonderful song, and Lucy
with a sense of excitement.
Only Edmund is described as feeling a mysterious horror inside.
Something inside of these children is ignited in hearing the name
of Aslan. For Peter, Susan and Lucy it is hope, excitement, and
courage that spring up whereas for Edmund, it is fear that rises in
his heart.
For the children it is as if this name, Aslan, is able to reveal their
heart’s thoughts and attitudes and either bring a warm message of
hope to them or a pang of fear—depending on whether they stand
on the side of good or evil.
Many times when we are faced with the truth, our conscience will
either feel a peace (because we are right with God) or a strange
conviction that may bring fear and discomfort. Edmund felt
discomfort and horror.
Aslan is drawing nearer, and with his return will come spring. An
old rhyme is recited to the children that tells them of his return:
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.
Soon Edmund’s heart will be revealed and the Witch’s plans
foiled. Edmund can feel this but he chooses to ignore the pang
in his heart. The other children find themselves in the midst of
an adventure and are given hope and courage to accomplish their
purpose and destiny. They align themselves with the right path.
For us, we are told by the ancient scriptures that the Messiah is
coming back and on his return he will dwell with us, will wipe
every tear from our eyes, and will abolish death and mourning and
pain (Revelation 21:3-4). This truth brings us hope and give us the
courage to fulfill our part in his great plan. May we listen to the
Voice or pang in our heart when we feel a strange sensation within,
beckoning us to align ourselves with God’s ways and truth.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in
all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything
is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to
whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
And we have the word of the prophets made more
certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as
to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in your hearts. – 2 Peter
1:19 (NIV)
Clothed in Majesty (Excerpt)
The coats were rather too big for them so
that they came down to their heels and
looked more like royal robes than coats
when they had put them on.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
As the children begin to venture out into the forest and become
cold, Lucy suggests putting on some coats that are in the Wardrobe.
The coats from the Wardrobe look more like royal robes on the
children. As the children put them on we are told that the coats
came down to their heels.
It is interesting that the coats look like “royal robes,” and it is
significant that they come from the Wardrobe. We find later on that
these four children would rule over Narnia and this appears to be
a foreshadowing of what is to come. The reference to royal robes
could also be a reminder of something more.
In John 10:9 Jesus refers to himself as the door to eternal life and
says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and
will go in and out and find pasture” (NKJV).
Just as the Wardrobe allows the children to enter into another
world, Jesus, the Door, allows those who believe entrance to
heaven. By walking through the Door we, also, are clothed in
Christ and become instantly the children of God, who have a
glorious inheritance because we are part of God’s family.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth
into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that
can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for
you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be
revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)
Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item
of your new way of life is custom-made by the
Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are
now obsolete. So, chosen by God for this new life
of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for
you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength,
discipline. – Colossians 3:10, 12 (MSG)
that they came down to their heels and
looked more like royal robes than coats
when they had put them on.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
As the children begin to venture out into the forest and become
cold, Lucy suggests putting on some coats that are in the Wardrobe.
The coats from the Wardrobe look more like royal robes on the
children. As the children put them on we are told that the coats
came down to their heels.
It is interesting that the coats look like “royal robes,” and it is
significant that they come from the Wardrobe. We find later on that
these four children would rule over Narnia and this appears to be
a foreshadowing of what is to come. The reference to royal robes
could also be a reminder of something more.
In John 10:9 Jesus refers to himself as the door to eternal life and
says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and
will go in and out and find pasture” (NKJV).
Just as the Wardrobe allows the children to enter into another
world, Jesus, the Door, allows those who believe entrance to
heaven. By walking through the Door we, also, are clothed in
Christ and become instantly the children of God, who have a
glorious inheritance because we are part of God’s family.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth
into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that
can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for
you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be
revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)
Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item
of your new way of life is custom-made by the
Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are
now obsolete. So, chosen by God for this new life
of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for
you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength,
discipline. – Colossians 3:10, 12 (MSG)
The Gift of a Miracle (Excerpt)
What I give you now will bring joy. It will not,
in your world, give endless life, but it will heal.
Go. Pluck her an apple from the Tree.
The Magician’s Nephew
Digory, whose curiosity brought evil into the land of Narnia, is
sent on a mission by the great Aslan to bring back an apple that
will serve to plant a tree that will protect the land for hundreds of
years from the evil Witch. As he plucks the apple from the tree at
the center of a private garden, Digory is tempted by the Witch to
eat of it. She tells him he will live forever and will be able to heal
his mother, who is dying, by giving it to her to eat. Digory resists
the temptation and stays true to his mission. He brings the apple to
Aslan.
We can only imagine the struggle and pain of his decision to not
take the apple to his dying mother. He possibly felt like Anakin
in Star Wars Episode III when he was helpless to save Pademe and
resorted to the Dark Side to try to prevent her death. Yet Digory, a
child, chooses to do the right thing and obey the command of the
Creator of Narnia.
When he returns to give Aslan the silver apple, we see that Aslan
is pleased. “Well done,” says Aslan, with a voice that we are told
“shakes the earth.”
Digory is then asked to throw the apple near the river bank where
the ground is soft and fertile so its seed will take root and grow
into a great Tree that will protect the land of Narnia from the evil
Witch. He and the others are told that the Tree will emanate a great
smell that will drive her away. They are told that the smell, “which
is joy and life and health to [them], is death and horror and despair
to her.”
We learn that this great Tree is a tree that gives life if its fruit is
eaten with the right heart. It may symbolize the Tree of Life in
Genesis that imparted life to man. When the fruit of the great Tree
is eaten with improper motives, we find that it carries a curse. This
is exactly what the tree of the knowledge of good and evil carried
when it was eaten by Adam and Eve. Digory is able to resist the
temptation that his ancestors were not able to withstand.
Digory, having completed the mission Aslan sent him on, comes
to think that all hope of saving his mother is lost. In his first
encounter with Aslan we see that Digory is afraid to look up at
Aslan’s face. He stares at Aslan’s feet and claws for most of the
time and suddenly, in despair, timidly looks up at the Great Lion’s
face. He is surprised by what he sees. He finds “great shining tears
in the Lion’s eyes.” Huge, bright tears that reveal that Aslan is as
concerned, if not more concerned about Digory’s mother’s fate.
Here we see the love of Aslan that reminds us of the love of Jesus.
Brennan Manning tells a story in the book Abba’s Child about a
little boy who is scared of Jesus, much like Digory was scared of
Aslan. The story states that one night a friend of Manning’s asked
his handicapped son, “Daniel, when you see Jesus looking at you,
what do you see in His eyes?”
After a pause, the boy replied, “His eyes are filled with tears, Dad.”
“Why, Dan?”
An even longer pause. “Because He is sad.”
“And why is He sad?”
Daniel stared at the floor. When at last he looked up, his eyes
glistened with tears. “Because I am afraid.”5
Richard Foster writes, “Today the heart of God is an open wound
of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns
that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten
him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness.
He longs for our presence.”6
Digory was afraid of Aslan but his fear only kept him from seeing
the Lion’s heart. Hopefully we will not be afraid to come to God
with our cares and requests. He longs to hear them and to be close
to us in every way. And in the proper time he will answer our
prayers.
When Digory meets with Aslan the second time, he is instructed
to go and pluck an apple from the great Tree that was planted. That
special apple, when given to his mother restores her health. We find
that Digory shortly afterwards buries the core of the special apple
in his yard and that it grows into an old tree that is knocked down
by great winds years later. We are told that he has the tree cut down
and makes a wardrobe out of the special wood.
It is this wardrobe, once discovered, that would lead a young group
of children back to the land of Narnia for more adventures to come.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal
procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere
the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to
God the aroma of Christ among those who are being
saved and those who are perishing. To the one we
are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of
life... – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)
…On each side of the river stood the tree of life,
bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every
month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing
of the nations. No longer will there be any curse…
– Revelation 22:2-3 (NIV)
in your world, give endless life, but it will heal.
Go. Pluck her an apple from the Tree.
The Magician’s Nephew
Digory, whose curiosity brought evil into the land of Narnia, is
sent on a mission by the great Aslan to bring back an apple that
will serve to plant a tree that will protect the land for hundreds of
years from the evil Witch. As he plucks the apple from the tree at
the center of a private garden, Digory is tempted by the Witch to
eat of it. She tells him he will live forever and will be able to heal
his mother, who is dying, by giving it to her to eat. Digory resists
the temptation and stays true to his mission. He brings the apple to
Aslan.
We can only imagine the struggle and pain of his decision to not
take the apple to his dying mother. He possibly felt like Anakin
in Star Wars Episode III when he was helpless to save Pademe and
resorted to the Dark Side to try to prevent her death. Yet Digory, a
child, chooses to do the right thing and obey the command of the
Creator of Narnia.
When he returns to give Aslan the silver apple, we see that Aslan
is pleased. “Well done,” says Aslan, with a voice that we are told
“shakes the earth.”
Digory is then asked to throw the apple near the river bank where
the ground is soft and fertile so its seed will take root and grow
into a great Tree that will protect the land of Narnia from the evil
Witch. He and the others are told that the Tree will emanate a great
smell that will drive her away. They are told that the smell, “which
is joy and life and health to [them], is death and horror and despair
to her.”
We learn that this great Tree is a tree that gives life if its fruit is
eaten with the right heart. It may symbolize the Tree of Life in
Genesis that imparted life to man. When the fruit of the great Tree
is eaten with improper motives, we find that it carries a curse. This
is exactly what the tree of the knowledge of good and evil carried
when it was eaten by Adam and Eve. Digory is able to resist the
temptation that his ancestors were not able to withstand.
Digory, having completed the mission Aslan sent him on, comes
to think that all hope of saving his mother is lost. In his first
encounter with Aslan we see that Digory is afraid to look up at
Aslan’s face. He stares at Aslan’s feet and claws for most of the
time and suddenly, in despair, timidly looks up at the Great Lion’s
face. He is surprised by what he sees. He finds “great shining tears
in the Lion’s eyes.” Huge, bright tears that reveal that Aslan is as
concerned, if not more concerned about Digory’s mother’s fate.
Here we see the love of Aslan that reminds us of the love of Jesus.
Brennan Manning tells a story in the book Abba’s Child about a
little boy who is scared of Jesus, much like Digory was scared of
Aslan. The story states that one night a friend of Manning’s asked
his handicapped son, “Daniel, when you see Jesus looking at you,
what do you see in His eyes?”
After a pause, the boy replied, “His eyes are filled with tears, Dad.”
“Why, Dan?”
An even longer pause. “Because He is sad.”
“And why is He sad?”
Daniel stared at the floor. When at last he looked up, his eyes
glistened with tears. “Because I am afraid.”5
Richard Foster writes, “Today the heart of God is an open wound
of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns
that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten
him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness.
He longs for our presence.”6
Digory was afraid of Aslan but his fear only kept him from seeing
the Lion’s heart. Hopefully we will not be afraid to come to God
with our cares and requests. He longs to hear them and to be close
to us in every way. And in the proper time he will answer our
prayers.
When Digory meets with Aslan the second time, he is instructed
to go and pluck an apple from the great Tree that was planted. That
special apple, when given to his mother restores her health. We find
that Digory shortly afterwards buries the core of the special apple
in his yard and that it grows into an old tree that is knocked down
by great winds years later. We are told that he has the tree cut down
and makes a wardrobe out of the special wood.
It is this wardrobe, once discovered, that would lead a young group
of children back to the land of Narnia for more adventures to come.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal
procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere
the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to
God the aroma of Christ among those who are being
saved and those who are perishing. To the one we
are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of
life... – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)
…On each side of the river stood the tree of life,
bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every
month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing
of the nations. No longer will there be any curse…
– Revelation 22:2-3 (NIV)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Book Now Available!
Welcome to Reflections of Narnia! This is the place where you can find information on my new book Reflections of Narnia: A family guide to discovering the spiritual truths in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.The book, which is now available to purchase at amazon.com and your local bookstore, helps readers to understand the wisdom, symbolism, and hidden meanings of C.S. Lewis's classic story The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Designed to read as a 30-day devotional with study questions for families and small groups the book makes a great companion to both the book by C. S. Lewis and the movie by Disney. I hope that you enjoy the book excerpts and the site and pick up a copy. Thanks for stopping by.
Rich Blessings!
Monday, September 25, 2006
The Reverent Submission (excerpt)
He looked somehow different from the Aslan they knew.
His tail and his head hung low and he walked slowly
as if he were very, very tired.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
As Aslan starts to make his way to the Stone Table to sacrifice
himself, the children notice that he is acting differently than normal
and that he seems to be carrying a heavy burden in his heart. He is
walking slowly and drooping, dreading what is to come.
This is reminiscent of what Jesus must have felt like the night he
was arrested and betrayed. Jesus asked for prayer from his disciples
that night and we are told that he was deeply distressed and
sorrowful “to the point of death” (Matthew 26:36-38, NIV).
Jesus, knowing that he was going to sacrifice himself for the sins
of humanity, asks God the Father “if it is possible, may this cup be
taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39,
NIV).
Here we catch a glimpse of the internal struggle of Jesus and how
difficult it must have been for him to lay down his life. In the
Gospel of Luke we are told that Jesus’ sweat was “like drops of
blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44, NIV).
And scripture adds that, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he
offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one
who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience
from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the
source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:7-9,
NIV).
Through Jesus’ death—“the reverent submission”—he was made
perfect (his purpose complete) and thus became the source of
eternal life. As Aslan heads toward the Stone Table we should all
be reminded of the great resolve that Jesus demonstrated on his
journey to the cross.
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with
him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then
he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow
to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with
me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the
ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may
this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you
will.” – Matthew 26:37-39 ( NIV)
His tail and his head hung low and he walked slowly
as if he were very, very tired.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
As Aslan starts to make his way to the Stone Table to sacrifice
himself, the children notice that he is acting differently than normal
and that he seems to be carrying a heavy burden in his heart. He is
walking slowly and drooping, dreading what is to come.
This is reminiscent of what Jesus must have felt like the night he
was arrested and betrayed. Jesus asked for prayer from his disciples
that night and we are told that he was deeply distressed and
sorrowful “to the point of death” (Matthew 26:36-38, NIV).
Jesus, knowing that he was going to sacrifice himself for the sins
of humanity, asks God the Father “if it is possible, may this cup be
taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39,
NIV).
Here we catch a glimpse of the internal struggle of Jesus and how
difficult it must have been for him to lay down his life. In the
Gospel of Luke we are told that Jesus’ sweat was “like drops of
blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44, NIV).
And scripture adds that, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he
offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one
who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience
from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the
source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:7-9,
NIV).
Through Jesus’ death—“the reverent submission”—he was made
perfect (his purpose complete) and thus became the source of
eternal life. As Aslan heads toward the Stone Table we should all
be reminded of the great resolve that Jesus demonstrated on his
journey to the cross.
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with
him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then
he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow
to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with
me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the
ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may
this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you
will.” – Matthew 26:37-39 ( NIV)
Thursday, September 07, 2006
The Gift of Discovery (excerpt)
“Quick!” Said Peter, “there’s nowhere else,”
and flung open the wardrobe. All four of them bundled
inside it and sat there, panting, in the dark.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy are running away and trying to
find a place to hide when they decide to skirt into the Wardrobe
as a last alternative. They soon feel cold and are looking at
snow-covered trees. Th ese four children were not looking for an
adventure into Narnia that day but found themselves in a world
that needed their help and had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. It
was as if it was orchestrated by providence—as if they were destined
to be there. By stepping into the Wardrobe, the four children would
discover their purpose and who they were meant to become—the
kings and queens of Narnia who would govern in Cair Paravel.
Great stories usually work this way. There is a yearning for
something more and then something randomly happens that
thrusts our hero into the greatest adventure of his life. Frodo
Baggins, Neo, Luke Skywalker, and so many others come to mind.
And there is something all these heroes have in common—they all
have faith and have said a resounding “yes” to the adventure.
Helen Keller wrote, “No pessimist ever discovered the secret to the
stars, or sailed to an unchartered land, or opened a new heaven to
the human spirit.”9
And Steve Prefontaine said, “To give anything less than your best is
to sacrifi ce the gift.”10
The gift is the discovery. Whether it is a talent or a new world we
have discovered, we all have a choice to make—to take the plunge
forward or go back to our former ignorance.
Situations have a way of just presenting themselves and when they
do, we have the opportunity to discover what we are made of and
why we are here. In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe we
find that these four children are presented with a surprise and then
with a mission. When Lucy finds out that Mr. Tumnus has been
captured on her account, the adventure begins.
When we stumble onto the truth of God we must also make some
choices. We must decide if we will answer the call and enter into
God’s country.
St. Augustine talks about how each one of us has the choice of
living in one of two cities. He states, “Two societies [cities] have
issued from two kinds of love. Worldly society has flowered
from a selfish love which dared to despise even God, whereas the
communion of saints is rooted in a love of God that is ready to
trample on self. In a word, this latter relies on the Lord, whereas
the other boasts that it can get along by itself. The city of man
seeks the praise of men, whereas the height of glory for the other
is to hear God in the witness of conscience.”11
Which city we choose to enter into is up to us. The choice is ours
to make because God has already chosen us and opened the door.
He decided to present himself to us and bid us to come to his
land. Had he not intermingled with humanity 2000 years ago, we
would not have discovered him and been able to embrace him. He
presents the Wardrobe for us to enter into. It is not an accident but
it is a gift of grace.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not
by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
and flung open the wardrobe. All four of them bundled
inside it and sat there, panting, in the dark.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy are running away and trying to
find a place to hide when they decide to skirt into the Wardrobe
as a last alternative. They soon feel cold and are looking at
snow-covered trees. Th ese four children were not looking for an
adventure into Narnia that day but found themselves in a world
that needed their help and had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. It
was as if it was orchestrated by providence—as if they were destined
to be there. By stepping into the Wardrobe, the four children would
discover their purpose and who they were meant to become—the
kings and queens of Narnia who would govern in Cair Paravel.
Great stories usually work this way. There is a yearning for
something more and then something randomly happens that
thrusts our hero into the greatest adventure of his life. Frodo
Baggins, Neo, Luke Skywalker, and so many others come to mind.
And there is something all these heroes have in common—they all
have faith and have said a resounding “yes” to the adventure.
Helen Keller wrote, “No pessimist ever discovered the secret to the
stars, or sailed to an unchartered land, or opened a new heaven to
the human spirit.”9
And Steve Prefontaine said, “To give anything less than your best is
to sacrifi ce the gift.”10
The gift is the discovery. Whether it is a talent or a new world we
have discovered, we all have a choice to make—to take the plunge
forward or go back to our former ignorance.
Situations have a way of just presenting themselves and when they
do, we have the opportunity to discover what we are made of and
why we are here. In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe we
find that these four children are presented with a surprise and then
with a mission. When Lucy finds out that Mr. Tumnus has been
captured on her account, the adventure begins.
When we stumble onto the truth of God we must also make some
choices. We must decide if we will answer the call and enter into
God’s country.
St. Augustine talks about how each one of us has the choice of
living in one of two cities. He states, “Two societies [cities] have
issued from two kinds of love. Worldly society has flowered
from a selfish love which dared to despise even God, whereas the
communion of saints is rooted in a love of God that is ready to
trample on self. In a word, this latter relies on the Lord, whereas
the other boasts that it can get along by itself. The city of man
seeks the praise of men, whereas the height of glory for the other
is to hear God in the witness of conscience.”11
Which city we choose to enter into is up to us. The choice is ours
to make because God has already chosen us and opened the door.
He decided to present himself to us and bid us to come to his
land. Had he not intermingled with humanity 2000 years ago, we
would not have discovered him and been able to embrace him. He
presents the Wardrobe for us to enter into. It is not an accident but
it is a gift of grace.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not
by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
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