The Triumph of Aslan - An Example of True Love
What is your view of God? J.B. Phillips wrote a book a few years ago titled, “Your God Is too Small.” In it he describes the different negative ideas we have of God; Resident Policeman, Grand Old Man; Managing Director… [To that I could add, Nagging Parent…] He is often pictured as remote and out of touch with our world. But in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, on the big screen, C.S. Lewis has given us another picture of God. It seems the “Church in the Cinema” has brought to life the character of our Savior.
As with any symbol, Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe doesn’t completely portray the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is a study that will expand your understanding of His mission and ministry.
As we dive into the story once again I must tell you that some things I say are dependent on you having a knowledge of the book or the movie. I will try not to make too many assumptions…
Today I want to focus on Aslan. He is the lion in the story. We looked at Lucy tripping through the wardrobe in our first study, last week we looked at the temptation of Edmond and we ate some Turkish Delight. Today we will study the Triumph of Aslan.
Aslan is the central subject of the Chronicles of Narnia…but Aslan doesn’t appear immediately. In fact, Lewis has delayed his appearance to create the sense of anticipation portrayed throughout the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ…for His first appearance, and then for His coming again.
As you read the book you get eager to meet Aslan? And it seems like it takes forever for the children to finally see Him? It’s like waiting for Christmas… or as Lewis suggests, “something even better than Christmas.”
For our first point I want to do a bit of a review under the subject of facing temptation…
1. FACING TEMPTATION
In our first study Lucy discovered a world where it was always winter, but never Christmas. A world under the control of the White Witch. It is a picture of our world under the domination of the prince of this world, Satan. But last week we focused in on one young man, Edmond, by name, who was taken captive by the White Witch.
We saw that Edmond has a choice, but he ignored the warnings and yielded to the temptation. He is not unlike each of us. We live in a sinful fallen world, but when given the opportunity we choose to ignore the warnings. WE are described in Ephesians 2:3 [MSNT]:
“Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures and of our own thoughts, and were in our original state deserving of anger [God’s wrath-KJV] like all others.”
We talked at length last week about the fact that we all make choices and we can choose to follow the Lord or Satan’s subtle suggestions. Yogi Berra said, “If there is a fork in the road, take it!” The fact of the matter is, we all must choose to take the right course, or we have already chosen to take the wrong path. Underline “governed” and “indulging” in your outline. Last week we looked at the steps down into sin, and how we can have victory over temptation…
[read verse 6 again]
Now look at verse 7. It begins with a remarkable phrase that speaks of God’s intervention on our behalf…in the KJV it simply says, “But God…” Let me read on in the NIV…
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
We are alive in Christ and can have victory over sin!
“But God” speaks of the intervention of Aslan on behalf of the traitor Edmond. We left him last week chained at the witches house…
Today we break into the story with the 3 Pevensie children; Peter, Susan, and Lucy running and hiding from the White Witch with the Beavers. Have any more of you had a chance to see the movie. I had someone tell me this week, “It’s a kids movie!” It is!
They awake before dawn to the sound of sleigh bells…that’s a nice sound at Christmas, unless you are in their shoes and think the sleigh is that of the wicked white witch and she has just found them! But when Mr. Beaver investigates, he calls to the children, “It’s all right! It isn’t her!”
But who was it? They had their answer as soon as they saw him: Was it Aslan? No! A great, glad, giant of a man, all dressed in red, with a snowy white beard streaming down over his ample robe.
Who is Lewis describing? Was it Santa Clause? No, it’s Father Christmas who states of the White Witch, “She has kept me out for a long time, but her magic is weakening.”
He is yet another participant in their long preparation for the arrival of Aslan. You might have been caught off guard like I was when I was at this point in the book, …Father Christmas is not Aslan, but a forerunner.
Father Christmas reminds us of who in the Bible? John the Baptist! He announced that, “one more worthy than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” As Father Christmas prepared the way of Aslan, so John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord. John was a messenger who pointed others to the coming Christ. As glad as the children were to meet Father Christmas, he just made them want to meet Aslan all the more.
Let’s stop here an make a mini-application. A lady called in to Dr. Randy Carlson this week and said, “Where should I put Santa Clause in our Christmas celebration?” He reminded her, don’t forget the reason for the season! You can get caught up in legalism by “Santa bashing.” But all our holiday traditions… decorating a tree, giving gifts, even Santa Clause and the candy cane, can be used to point people to the real reason for the season. Let’s don’t forget a baby arrived in our world with the purpose of redeeming us. That’s the meaning of Christmas!
The arrival of Father Christmas meant that the witch’s power was weakening and that Aslan’s arrival was near. Satan wants us to forget that it is really CHRIST we are celebrating at CHRISTmas.
Christmas is a reason for hope and joy, because the long expected Messiah entered the world. He was a person of history. And just as He once came to redeem us, we can be sure He is coming again to establish His rule and reign. All the cold and sadness that the children had experienced thus far in Narnia only intensified their hope and joy for the arrival Aslan.
What was Father Christmas message? “Aslan is on the move.”
Remember that as you are Facing Temptation! You want to be found getting ready for His arrival, not living in defeat and sin. The Bible says that every person that has this hope lives a pure life!
Now I like the next part…he came bearing gifts for the children. What kind of gifts did he bring? Was it the latest Barbie doll set? Was it a new x-box or a remote controlled car? Was it something that entertains? No, no, no! He didn’t just bring them toys, he brought them tools… so that they might be prepared for the coming of Aslan. As we approach Christmas we are…
2. MAKING CHOICES – WILL IT BE TOOLS OR TOYS?
What are you giving your children this Christmas? Gifts that amuse… or are fun for a while? The best gifts we can give our children are tools that will prepare them for the future.
Peter was given a sword and a shield. Susan was given a bow and arrows and a horn to summon help. Lucy was given a dagger to defend herself and a cordial that would bring healing to the sick or wounded.
These were more than tools, they were weapons. The children were being equipped for warfare. Why? Because there is a battle raging for good and evil all around us. The gifts they were given will help them to fulfill their calling and face the challenges that lie ahead.
If I have a mission today it is to equip the next generation with the tools to do battle. Ephesians 6:12ff tells us to, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
What tools should you give your children?
a. A Godly example.
b. An understanding of the gift of eternal life.
c. A sense of self-worth.
d. Skills in understanding the Bible (That begins with reading!)
e. The ability to make wise decisions. Using the sword effectively.
f. A sense of purpose
g. Skills to deal with setbacks, roadblocks, attacks and failure.
h. The assurance of your prayers.
What if you have failed? A person is only a failure if they quit trying. Have a family council and outline a plan.
We have all been given gifts. My next question is…What are you doing with the gifts God has given you?
One of the saddest verses in the Bible is found in 1 Timothy 1:18ff, let me read it in the Phillips translation:
“I sent you out to battle for the right armed only with your faith and a clear conscience. Some, alas, have laid these simple weapons contemptuously aside and, as far as their faith is concerned have run their ships on the rocks.”
What causes a person to wreck? A loss of faith, and a loss of a clear conscience. Underline! It is important that we strengthen our children in these areas.
Keep in mind the gifts God has given you are tools not toys. As our story continues the 4 children begin to feel…
3. FEELING THE TYRANNY OF THE “DEEP MAGIC”
We learn that Narnia is a place where Deep Magic exists. I began by asking you, “What is your concept of God?” People want a tame God – a nice, safe, kind figure who accepts us where we are…a sort of heavenly grandfather who rocks his chair and smiles indulgently, and says, “Boys will be boys” without demanding change.
But we learn that the Lion of Narnia cannot be manipulated or controlled or bent to anyone’s will.
When He arrives on the scene the world is in darkness and sin. Our natural inclination is that He is going to immediately make everything right. Aslan is on the move!
But He also recognizes a few things…
Most importantly, the White Witch is in control of Narnia, just like Satan is the Prince of this world.
Jadis, the White Witch has a conversation with Aslan. The children’s eyes are opened to the complexity of the problem.
“You have a traitor there, Aslan,” said the Witch. “Well,” said Aslan. “His offence was not against you.”
“Have you forgotten the Deep Magic?” asked the Witch.
“Let us say I have forgotten it,” answered Aslan gravely. “Tell us of this Deep Magic.”
“Tell you?” said the Witch, her voice growing suddenly shriller. “Tell you what is written on that very Table of Stone which stands beside us? Tell you what is written in letters deep as a spear is long on the fire-stones on the Secret Hill? Tell you what is engraved on the scepter of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea….? You know that every traitor belongs to me as my lawful prey and that for every treachery I have a right to a kill... And so, that human creature is mine. His life is forfeit to me. His blood is my property.”
The reason Edmond needed rescue was because he had betrayed his brother and sisters and had tried to join the witch’s side. Since the creation of Narnia, the very foundation of the law states that for every crime of treachery blood must be shed. A death must take place. The White Witch knows her Deep Magic and she knows that she has a right to kill Edmund... and there is nothing the good King Aslan can do.
She cries out in defiance a few moments later, “Do you really think your master can rob me of my rights by mere force? Speaking of Aslan she says, “He knows the Deep Magic better than that. He knows that unless I have blood as the Law says all Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water.”
“It is very true,” said Aslan, “I do not deny it.”
So... there is a problem in the Land of Narnia - a crisis. What will become of Edmund? What will become of the White Witch and her stranglehold over Narnia? Will Aslan be able to save Edmund? Will he be able to save Narnia? What will happen next.
Of course the picture is very clear. Galatians and Romans tells us the law condemns. The 10 Commandments cannot save anyone, they just show the sinfulness of our hearts. This world that we live in is filled with the Deep Magic of the Law. It pronounces us guilty and demands blood. It demands death & execution.
We see this terrible Deep Magic all around us. We see how it permeates our existence. We see the Deep Magic because we see death, every day and on every side. Animals die, plants die, people die. What we call the “cycle of life” always ends in death. Even in the midst of our most cherished celebrations the effects of the Deep Magic are never far away. At birthday parties we celebrate the passage of time and even joke about the aging process. At the weddings we joyfully speak our vows to each other - until death us do part. The Deep Magic and its effects are never far away, are they? The Deep Magic is always present.
What is this Deep Magic at work? Why is it here? And can it be undone?
I imagine that the thief on the cross - as he gazed upon the beaten, broken and bleeding Jesus - may have wondered the same thing. The thief was nailed to a cross, just one more victim of the Deep Magic. Making payment with his own blood for the crimes and treachery he had committed.
Though he had not heard these words, the thief would have seen that his predicament was in total agreement with what Paul wrote later, “The wages of sin is death.” That’s the Deep Magic. The Deep Magic is the demands of God’s Law... it is the demand for justice... it is the demand for punishment. You sin, you die. And the thief saw something he could not undo... something he could not change!
The Requirements of Death cannot be appeased. Sin has so infested this world of ours that there is no way the Deep Magic will not be appeased or satisfied. Everything will die, everyone will die. I will die. We will die. As the thief hung on that cross, he saw with horrific certainty that the Deep Magic exacts its price every time. You sin, it wins!
When the White Witch finally confronts Aslan face-to-face she demands that Edmund be given to her: “You know that every traitor belongs to me as my lawful prey and that for every treachery I have a right to a kill. ...that human creature is mine. His life is forfeit to me. His blood is my property.”
Aslan speaks to the witch alone and then sadly tells the children that the matter has been settled. Unknown to the children, Aslan has agreed to satisfy the requirements of the Deep Magic (the Law) and give his own life in the place of Edmund.
At the crucifixion the thief saw something he had never seen before. He saw Jesus. And in Him he saw something that startled him. He saw a willing victim - a person who chose to die. That much, by itself, was not particularly unusual. People choose to die all the time. But in Jesus the thief also saw a person - the one person... indeed, the only person - who did not have to die! He saw the one person who had committed no crime, who was guilty of no treachery. He saw the one who had never sinned willingly giving up his life. What in the world was going on here?
That night, Lucy and Susan follow Aslan to the Stone Table. They watch the horrible proceedings as Aslan allows himself to be placed on the table, tied with ropes, and have his mighty mane shaved off. The girls watch as the ogres and hags hit him and spit on him. The White Witch takes up a knife and prepares for the execution. Bending down she speaks to Aslan for the last time,
“Who has won? Fool, did you think that by all this you would save the human traitor? Now I will kill you instead of him as our pact was, and so the Deep Magic will be appeased. But when you are dead what will prevent me from killing him as well? And who will take him out of my hand then? Understand that you have given me Narnia forever, you have lost your own life, and you have not saved his. In that knowledge, despair and die.”
Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death.”
That night Susan and Lucy “cried till they could cry no more.” “...the sadness and shame and horror of Aslan’s death...filled their minds.”
It must have been a frightful Friday and a sad Saturday as the disciples contemplated the tragedy of Jesus’ death.
Yes, the “wages of sin is death…but the gift of God is eternal life!” A sunny Sunday changed all that. T.G.I.F.! Today God is first!
Look with me at our last point…
4. EXPERIENCING THE TRIUMPH OF THE “DEEPER MAGIC”
Susan and Lucy sat together through the cold, dark hours of the night. As the sky began to brighten in the east they noticed mice, but then they noticed they were gnawing at the ropes that still held tight the lifeless body of the lion. Then at last, as they stood for a moment looking out toward the sea, the red turned to gold along the line where the sea and the sky met and very slowly up came the edge of the sun. At that moment they heard from behind them a loud, cracking, deafening noise.
The girls ran back to the Stone Table. They found that the table had split into two pieces and a great crack ran down the middle of it; and there was no Aslan. Lucy and Susan assumed that the enemy had come and removed Aslan’s body. Suddenly there was the sound of a familiar voice behind them.
“There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking His mane (for it had apparently grown again), stood Aslan himself.”
The children ran to him “as much frightened as they were glad.”
He assured them that he was not a ghost and they covered him with kisses and hugs. Aslan explained the circumstances to them: ...though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of Time. But if she could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, she would have read there a different incantation. She would have known that…
“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.”
When the thief looked at Jesus he saw a Deeper Magic at work - not undoing the Deep Magic, but satisfying it. And not only satisfying it, but satisfying the Deep Magic on behalf of all traitors... on behalf of all criminals and all sinners of all time. He saw Jesus dying for him! Death could now start working backwards. Life could now have a fresh start. The thief looked from his cross to Jesus’ cross and he said: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And what did Jesus say? “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
All who look to Him have their sins forgiven! To all who look to Him death will start to work backward…they will start to live forever. They will have eternal life!
1 Corinthians 2:6-8 [NKJV], “…we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
If Jadis had known the Aslan would rise victorious she would have never killed Him. That’s the mystery of the deeper magic. Grace has conquered the law.
The sinless Son of God died in our stead and rose again! Death has been swallowed up in victory!
Aslan’s resurrection destroyed the power of death and the White Witch’s control over Narnia. Aslan made the children Kings and Queens over the land and they began to rule with Aslan, the great Lion, the Son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea.
Conclusion:
I hope you have a new understanding of this baby who was born in Bethlehem. Galatians 4:4-5 are our key verses…
“But, when the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born subject to Law, in order to purchase the freedom of all who were subject to Law, so that we might receive recognition as sons.”
John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
That’s what Jesus did for us! We see in the movie the tragedy of Jesus’ death but also the triumph of His resurrection.
The symbol of triumph for the ancient Romans was the arch. Whenever new territory was conquered, an arch was constructed for the troops to march through. This was the purpose for the famous arch in Paris.
The crude instrument of torture and execution, the cross, has been changed into a symbol of triumph for Christians. Jesus transformed the tragedy of his death into a triumph over death for himself and for you and me.
It is important for us to take a long, hard look at Jesus. What is your view of God? Mr. Beaver said at one point about Aslan when asked if he was safe? “Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe, but He’s good. He’s the King, I tell you!”
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is the story of what Aslan did for Edmund – and by extension, for everyone. Do you know what Jesus did for you? Have you claimed Him as your Savior and Lord?
The film ends with the Lion walking away on a sandy beach…the expectation is that He will return again…
(This sermon contains undocumented quotes from various sources)
