Romping with the Lion
December 18, 2005
(Jesus said,) “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:7-10 (NIV)
SETUP
Aslan, lion of Narnia. Written by C.S. Lewis, remind of Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ.
I don’t want to spoil the movie, so all I’ll say is that when all is darkest, Aslan reappears, larger, more powerful, and more glorious than ever. Two witnesses to this appearance: Lucy and her older sister Susan.
Then follows one of my favorite scenes in the book – unfortunately not included in the movie:
A mad chase began. Round and round the hilltop he led them, now hopelessly out of their reach, now letting them almost catch his tail, now diving between them, now tossing them in the air with his huge and beautifully velveted paws and catching them again, and now stopping unexpectedly so that all three of them rolled over together in a happy laughing heap of fur and arms and legs. It was such a romp as no one has ever had except in Narnia.
What images come to your mind when you think of God? Of Jesus?
• Stern Judge
• Sad-eyed teacher (with a British accent)
• Grandfatherly old man in robe and beard
• Majestic king, sitting on alabaster throne.
How many picture lion, romping in a meadow and playing with two little girls?
How undignified!
But is it godly?
Although no similar scene follows story of Resurrection of Jesus,
This scene captures an important part of the character of God.
On a day like today, when children fill our sanctuary,
Picture Jesus – The disciples think he’s too busy or too important to be bothered by children.
Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16-17
There is a statue depicting this at Crystal Cathedral – Jesus laughing, tossing little child in the air.
Indeed, unless become like children, cannot enter Kingdom!
What are children like?
Disobedient
Self-centered. (We’ve got these two covered!)
Children live in the moment!
I took my daughter, Natalia, sledding: Pure, unbounded, unrestrained pleasure
All senses engaged. Holy abandon!
Why is it that this kind of revelry seems so far removed from the Christian life experienced by so many believers?
PLEASURE UNDER SUSPICION
Asceticism:
Deny body,
Even apply pain
Identify with suffering of Christ,
Finds some support in scripture:
Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)
Mortify the flesh through deprivation.
BUT IS THIS WHAT JESUS INTENDED? IS this how he meant for us to live? Or is there another dimension to provide balance to this teaching?
Even a generation ago, many defined their Christian faith by what DIDN’T DO.
“I don’t drink, smoke, chew, or kiss girls who do!”
How do I know I’m a Christian? Well, I don’t…
Cards, dancing, gambling, movies, theater, wear makeup, two-piece bathing suits. Celebrate Christmas!
Why?
Well, there is a legitimate fear that some pleasures can lead to sin.
Glass of wine drunkenness
Dance feelings lust and promiscuity
To be safe, many Christians ban the pleasure to prevent its abuse.
So, when many Christians hear Paul say:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
They think he must be talking about something subdued and internal.
PURE PLEASURE
Contrast scripture.
First miracle of Jesus:
Most would expect it to be a healing, feeding, raise someone from the dead to signify his power and jump start his ministry. Instead, this is what we read:
The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.
(Jewish weddings are not subdued, dignified affairs. Wild, raucous, joyful, uninhibited.)
The wine supply ran out during the festivities… Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” … When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Jesus first miracle = keep the party going!
Wine could have been abused, (Drunkenness is clearly prohibited in Bible)
Note: Not an endorsement of excess.
But didn’t prevent Jesus from providing it!
The last two sentences show a direct connection between revelry and glory.
disciples believe.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31
Context is creation of humans, male and female.
Command to be fruitful and multiply – the pleasure of sexual intimacy.
And to enjoy all of beauty God had created. Taste and see that it is good! Look and see that it is beautiful. Celebrate!
(Once again, all can be abused (and frequently is), but this doesn’t prevent God from providing it.)
These good gifts of creation were intended for pleasure.
JOY IN THE BIBLE
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15 (NLT)
All too often, Christians, in fear of abusing pleasure, have instead given it to the devil, instead of learning how to enjoy pleasure in the presence of God.
“It’s really Christians who have all the good stuff. The other side has stolen it, peeled it raw, put it on tawdry display, and offers it cheap and without warranty.” (The Heart of the Chronicles of Narnia: Knowing God Here by Finding Him There, by Thomas Williams, p. 75)
The Devil has nothing of his own! All he can do is lure us into misusing the good that God has given us.
Compare the dry Christianity that many seem to embrace with the revelry we find many places in scripture:
WORSHIP:
Praise (God) with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Psalm 150:3-5
Moving arc of the Lord to Jerusalem after David anointed King:
David, wearing a linen ephod, (An ephod covered everything that needed to be covered, but not much else!) danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets…When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. 2 Samuel 6:14-15, 20-21
Can dancing be immodest? Could David’s jumping and dancing around have been vulgar? Of course it could. But, in this case it seems that the only vulgarity was in the mind of Michal. Couldn’t imagine a king having a romp with God.
Footnote of story is that God condemned HER for her misplaced zeal.
It’s GOD’S PRESENCE that makes the difference!
NEW TESTAMENT:
Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?” Mark 2:18-19
Was Jesus purpose to let us have it all hang out, live wild and wooly lives? No.
But he did intend his followers to enjoy life – in God’s presence!
Jesus: My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
How do this? Daily celebrating the presence of God, and God’s Holy Spirit!
A GODLY BALANCE
Christians can rightfully enjoy any pleasure that God gives us, but…
Two legitimate reasons for shunning pleasure:
1) If it causes you to ___STUMBLE___
So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29 (NLT)
Every person finds some temptations hard to resist. Every person has some pleasures that might be enjoyed innocently and in moderation by others, but provide an irresistible temptation to excess to themselves.
• Drinking
• Reading about or viewing certain sensual pleasures
• Purchasing toys
• Eating
• Relationships
One of most beautiful and well known statues in world is Michelangelo’s “David.”
Has drawn very different responses in Christian world.
One book by a prominent Christian condemned for nudity.
Another well-known Christian evangelist praises for its beauty.
Is it a beautiful depiction of God’s ultimate creation?
Or high-class pornography?
ONCE AGAIN: Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15 (NLT)
Weirdly enough, answer may be in the eye of the beholder!
If participating/watching/listening/eating/discussing causes you to sin, don’t do it!
May be ok for others, but not ok for you.
(Corollary – don’t impose your ban on others.)
No mind is pure enough to filter out everything that can tempt, so there are obvious limits on how close to the edge we should get. Be careful not to deceive yourself!
2) If it causes harm __TO OTHERS___
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9
So, there are some people I wouldn’t take to see “David.”
There are some contexts in which I wouldn’t play rock music, or cards, or have a dance.
Because inherently wrong?
No, but I know these are triggers for some other believers.
I could prove a point, but if leads them to sin, then woe unto me.
God has called us into community. No one is expected or able to navigate life on their own. Purpose 1 (fellowship) is essential to fulfill purpose 2 (discipleship).
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
CONCLUSION:
Jesus Christ came so that you can have life, and have it abundantly!
Enjoy all of the good gifts of God’s creation,
As we revel in the presence of God.
Keep eye on edge of the cliff, don’t get too close…
but don’t let that stop you from romping in the meadow with the lion.
Living a joyful life reflects the character of Christ: “Not safe, but good.”
“We need to find our joy in being restored to Christ, and it is available in no other way. Each time we experience the delights of creation, our minds should travel up the beam to him as the source, and we should shout our thankfulness and express it by being as joyful as he meant us to be.” Williams, p. 79
