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Mythical Narnia
by Gail RodgersThe allegory of the intriguing and enchanting world of Narnia is rich in symbolism. Symbolism is a great tool to imbed meaning into characters, events and stories. Author, C. S. Lewis did a masterful job of defining the Christian faith through the Chronicles of Narnia.
Aslan, meaning “lion” in the Turkish language, is the one character who appears in all seven of the Chronicles of Narnia. He is majestic; the great lion: the son of the Emperor over the sea. He is the constant guardian, protector and helper of Narnia. He watches over the children from this world who are called to Narnia's aid. Indeed it was Aslan who created Narnia by singing it into life.
The character of Aslan of Narnia is sometimes fierce yet always good. The question arises as to whether Aslan is tame. The answer is “no”. He is not tame … but he is good.
Looking deeper into the character of Aslan we find he is symbolic of Jesus in the Christian faith. Though loving and forgiving, Jesus is also anything but tame. He demands love and obedience yet he is so good. He is strength to those who believe in him.
Aslan is often found to be the redeemer in the stories that unravel in the world of Narnia. He sends a rescue party for Edmund, a rather nasty child when we first meet him. Aslan rescues Edmund just before the White Witch attempts to kill him.
The faun also has his life redeemed by Aslan. When he saves Lucy from the White Witch he is turned into a stone. Aslan revives him.
Giant Rumblebuffin was also turned to stone by the White Witch and revived by Aslan.
The character Eustace is dragged into Narnia and accompanies King Caspian to the end of the world. His meeting with Aslan has a lasting effect on him and he returns from Narnia a changed person.
The symbolism is not lost on those who know and follow Jesus. Jesus is our redeemer. He is the one who loves us even when we are truly “nasty children” as Edmund was.
Even when our associations with the hard and evil ways of our world leave our hearts hard as stone, Jesus is the one who can rescue us. He is the one who can revive our hurting and darkened hearts by his grace and his love.
Though the Chronicles of Narnia are mythical they mirror the true essence of Christianity. The mythical character of Aslan mirrors the majestic character of Jesus Christ, the redeemer of hard hearts. He is the one who leaves a lasting effect on those who meet him. He is the one who can truly change us as individuals into more than we ever hoped or dreamed we could be.
- Are you ready to join the adventure of being a follower of the “not tame, but good” Jesus?
- Are you ready to have your heart softened from the hurts you have experienced and from the guilt of the things you have regretted doing?
- Are you ready to encounter the majestic Jesus who died on the cross for you?
Today you can move from the intrigue of the symbolic myth of Narnia to the reality of knowing the one true Jesus. He came to redeem the broken hearts and to set the wanderer’s feet on a sure path.
You can know him today. He waits to be invited into your life. He waits to forgive you for the ways you have mismanaged life. He longs to change a heart of stone to a heart of freedom.
Step into the reality of the living Jesus today. Simply tell him …
“Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life today. Forgive me for the times I have pushed past what I knew was right. Please change my heart today. Walk beside me every step of my journey. Thank you that I can find a new way to live with you as my guide. Amen.”
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Gail Rodgers draws from her own life experience in her roles as wife, mother of three, business woman and as a pastor to women.