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In the movie “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005),” sorrow fills the land of Narnia. The white witch has killed the Great Lion, Aslan. Aslan gave his life in place of Edmund, the traitor.
Morning is coming. Lucy and Susan, Edmund’s sisters, have spent the night crying over the corpse of Aslan, the Great Lion, who sacrificed himself so that Edmund might live. As dawn begins to break, Lucy notices mice on the corpse. Susan reacts with revulsion. But Lucy sees that the mice are gnawing at the ropes with which the White Witch bound Aslan. Eventually they cut through the ropes, and they fall away.
Finally, Susan tells Lucy that they should go. Lucy says, "I'm so cold." They get up and walk away, but suddenly there is an earthquake and a terrible cracking sound. They turn around and see the Stone Table, on which Aslan was sacrificed, broken in two, and Aslan's body is nowhere to be seen. Confused, they want to know what has transpired. As the sun rises in the east, they look up. Suddenly, with the rays of the rising sun glittering in his mane, Aslan emerges, now resurrected.
The girls, overcome with joy, shout his name. Aslan descends to greet them. The three are laughing. But practical Susan inquires, "But we saw the knife, the Witch..." Aslan interrupts, "If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she may have interpreted the Deep Magic differently. When a willing victim, who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table will crack and even death, itself, will turn backwards."
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Susan tells Aslan that they had sent word of his death to Peter and Edmund, who have gone to war. Aslan says he will help; they will not go alone. He has the girls climb on his back. Just before he leaps into action, Aslan tells them to cover their ears, and he lets out a huge roar.
St. Paul writes of this mystery of sacrifice, reminiscent of Aslan’s words, “If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice,…”
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2.20, NLT)
St. Paul wisely places in order the cause and consequence pertaining to the crucifixion of Christ. First, “who loved me.” Then, “gave himself for me.” The primary causative factor in the Passion of Christ is not sin, rather, it is Love.
Questions
What does the crucifixion of Christ mean to you? Is the concept “sacrifice” outworn and needing replaced in more contemporary terms? Or, does the word “sacrifice” still retain a vital message for us today? Explain your answer.
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
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