Tuesday, April 19, 2011

ASLAN, MY HERO

Aslan.

The beloved hero of C.S. Lewis’ cherished children’s book, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

Aslan is Jesus.

My hero.

The first time I heard about Aslan was when I was about 22. I was attending a college summer camp. The speaker wove stories about Aslan into his wonderful talks. I was enraptured.

But I have a confession to make.

I've been a Christian since I was about 3 ½ years old – all my life. But I had always felt a little bit (a lot) guilty because I never FELT the horror of the crucifixion. I had head knowledge that it was awful, and I believed it – and all that it stood for – with my whole heart. But somehow it hadn't quite reached my emotions.

Until this quiet summer night at camp.

The speaker told us how Aslan had been shamed and humiliated – how his kingly mane had been shorn. How all the evil cohorts of the White Witch cackled and jeeredtaunting the majestic Lion who had willingly become meek as a lamb.

And then, the White Witch killed the great Lion with her knife.

The speaker paused…

I was in tears. For the first time, I felt the tremendous depth of what Jesus' death had been like. I felt the shame, the horror, the grief, the pain.

A Lion's story had reached my heart.

Later this week, we remember Good Friday. A day when the Lion of Judah became a lamb – the sacrificial Lamb of God.

It's a day that makes me grieve – a day that makes me sad – a day that I feel in my heart of hearts.

A day when the worst that mankind could do – happened. The Son of God was murdered, on a criminal’s cross – shamed and humiliated, taunted and jeered.

His mane shorn off, He quietly accepted the culmination of His mission on earth.

He died…for us.


Praise the Lord, it was not the end of the story!

Aslan rose from the dead!!

You see, there was a Deeper Magic from before the Dawn of Time. The Witch had not known of this.

But Aslan did – Jesus did.

"…when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backward."

I am that traitor.

But, because of the Great Sacrifice – death is now working backward in me!!


I hope you love C. S. Lewis as much as I do. And I would encourage you to read his Chronicles of Narnia – maybe for the first time, maybe once again. Each story in the series brings meaning and practical knowledge to the reader.

However, Lewis' greatest contribution to Christianity, in my opinion, is that he turns people toward the heart of Jesus, our Aslan. He inspires love, commitment, courage, and faith –

He reveals to us a Savior who isn't safe, but He's good…


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

11 comments:

  1. I think 'feeling' the crucifixion and the gift of his rising on Easter - is something that is important as a Christian.

    I will tell you two funny things about the Passion play and Andy.

    We got to the crucifixion part and Andy asked me - did Jesus hurt for real like that? - same thing you are talking about - he would liked to think it wasn't real - like in a movie - but we told him yes - and his eyes popped out.

    Then he said is it over? Wanting to get the heck out of there and the saddness. And we kind of laughed - and said NO - that Easter came and fixed all that! (You would think he would have known that), but the wonderful thing is - I thought - I am so thankful that wasn't the end!!

    I am sorry too Jesus had to suffer for me.

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  2. Loving this!! My own personal testimony is wrapped up in that same realization that you had about what Jesus really endured for me. And it goes so much farther too. I have tried to blog it a hundred times. Twice this week, in fact. I just can't get the words from heart to page in less than 10,000 words.

    I never read the Chronicles as a kid. It wasn't until my daughters read them that I as introduced to it. Still, I hadn't read it for myself so I was unfamiliar. I walked into the room one day when they were watching the movie version of The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
    and just stood there, completely transfixed because it was the scene when He gives his life.

    I was standing there crying with my hand over my mouth, and my daughter said, "Mom... don't you know who He is? Don't worry. He's Jesus."

    Looks like I can't even comment in less than 10,000 words either.

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  3. The magnitude of Christ's sacrifice for us is difficult to realize. But we do get glimpses of this gift as our mind can grasp it. My heart breaks that He hung on the cross for us...for me. But, praise God, it wasn't over then. He is risen...He IS Risen indeed!

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  4. I can't fathom how horrific His pain must
    have been. I've had physical pain in my
    life and thought it terrible to bear but
    what Jesus suffered can not possibly be
    compared to it. To be crucified was the
    cruelest of deaths and He suffered it all
    for me. Amazing love...

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  5. What impresses me about Jesus is that he suffered quietly with dignity all that humiliation, pain, torture, ridicule, mocking, scorn, crucification. I bump my toe and I'm crying out in pain. Yet he endured IT all for me to spend eternity with him/his Father. It continues to amaze me,indeed it does!

    betty

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  6. How do we really put that moment into words? You have done it so well and each Easter season I believe God has unfolded it to me more and more...and so many times when I am telling it to my kids, I am the one who starts to really get it, bring me to tears.

    Great post...Happy Easter.

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  7. Sharon:
    Honestly my friend, God has gifted you!! I just came by to read this and your last blog with your poem. I think you are me! What I really think is... you are each of us... you are expressing truth in such a clear way, and it hits home with me every time.

    Keep those words coming... I am beyond blessed by them! You so speak to my heart.

    xo

    Sonja

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  8. Wow. You are truly a gifted writer and thought provoker. Your poem in the previous post was just breath taking. You somehow manage to put into words what the rest of us struggle to express.

    I've never read these books but both daughters have and absolutely loved them. Maybe it's time for me to read them as well.

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  9. Sandie - What a wonderful story - thanks for sharing that! Yes, your grandson's experience was kinda like mine - when it all really hit HOME in my heart. And I have to agree - I also think it's important to have a feel for this as a Christian. Without a true sense of the horror, the shame, the terrible price paid - we'll probably never fully understand the depth of the grace and love it took to do it.

    Debbie - Would you sometime share with me your story in an email? I would love to hear it! I really would encourage you to read these books. They are timeless, and they reach the heart of adults, too. Your daughter was so very wise. Yes, no worries, it's Jesus - and He comes back!!!

    Joan - Oh yes! I like your choice of the word magnitude - the magnitude of what He really accomplished on that cross is mind-boggling. To realize that He did it for me??? Humbly amazing...

    Sandy - Yes, I agree. Our pain will never match His - because we will never have to suffer separation from God. Because of our dear Jesus, God will never turn His back on us. That truly is amazing love!

    Betty - A very profound insight. Yes, Jesus - the epitome of humble dignity - disciplined power - peaceful determination - loving dedication. He is beyond all - His gift is exceedingly, abundantly beyond what we could ever ask or think!

    Janette - I think what you said is true. And I think that's why this story about Aslan was so powerful for me. It reached past my 20-something mind, and went all the way to my little girl heart. And that's where I finally felt it - deeply, profoundly, gratefully.

    Sonja - How very kind of you! Thank you. I am greatly comforted and encouraged by the thought, the knowledge, that I'm not walking this journey alone. God speaks to all of us - and when we share with each other, God is magnified and His blessings multiplied!

    Denise - Hey Thumper!! I would really encourage you to read these books - at least the first one. I haven't read them since my 20's - but I'm really thinking it's time to do it again. I loved the movies - they've been pretty true to the books. Thanks for the kind comments, I really appreciate them. I struggle to express my struggles - but in the process, God always speaks to me.

    GOD BLESS!

    ASLAN LIVES!!

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  10. Hi Sharon -

    Thank you for this.

    Jeremiah 25:30- KJV
    ...The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout,...

    Proverbs 30:30 - KJV
    A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

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  11. Sandra - Amen to yet more wonderful Scripture! The Lion from the tribe of Judah will roar, and every knee shall bow and tongue confess - He is the strongest, He is the Savior!

    AMEN - GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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