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)
