The Gospel in Narnia
Growing up, I wasn't much of a reader. The only series of books that I ever read through were a series of fictional baseball books by John R. Tunis and the Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis.
The Narnia books are wonderful children's literature, but now, as a pastor, the Christian themes in these books simply jump out at me. I caught a few of them when I was young, but now I can appreciate these books at another level.
For instance, at the end of Prince Caspian, (spoiler alert) there is a wonderful exchange between a few of the characters, namely Eustace and Aslan the Lion (who is a Christ figure in these books).
"But," said Eustace, looking at Aslan. "Hasn't he -- er died?"
"Yes," said the Lion in a very quiet voice, almost (Jill thought) as if he were laughing. "He has died. Most people have you know. Even I have. There are very few who haven't."
I couldn't help but think of this passage on Sunday during Bible study. We were talking about Enoch, who walked with God and then was no more. He didn't die, nor did Elijah. Rather, they were taken out of this world to be with God without having tasted death.
However, Jesus did taste death and conquered it for us.
The reality is, unless the Lord returns before then, we'll all die at some point. However because Christ has conquered death, we need not fear it. And when death does approach, even then we have a God who knows what it is to approach death and to die. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
The Narnia books are wonderful children's literature, but now, as a pastor, the Christian themes in these books simply jump out at me. I caught a few of them when I was young, but now I can appreciate these books at another level.
For instance, at the end of Prince Caspian, (spoiler alert) there is a wonderful exchange between a few of the characters, namely Eustace and Aslan the Lion (who is a Christ figure in these books).
"But," said Eustace, looking at Aslan. "Hasn't he -- er died?"
"Yes," said the Lion in a very quiet voice, almost (Jill thought) as if he were laughing. "He has died. Most people have you know. Even I have. There are very few who haven't."
I couldn't help but think of this passage on Sunday during Bible study. We were talking about Enoch, who walked with God and then was no more. He didn't die, nor did Elijah. Rather, they were taken out of this world to be with God without having tasted death.
However, Jesus did taste death and conquered it for us.
The reality is, unless the Lord returns before then, we'll all die at some point. However because Christ has conquered death, we need not fear it. And when death does approach, even then we have a God who knows what it is to approach death and to die. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
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