The 2005 film version of C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic, The Chronicles of Narnia, is a treat to watch. For the most part, it is true to the original text, doing honor to the former atheist turned devout Christian who penned it. The special effects brought to life Lewis’s tale in unique and engaging ways, and even now, dear listener, I occasionally Google the scene where Aslan roars just after his resurrection. It still gives me chills. Aslan, indeed, is on the move.
What the film version conspicuously lacks, however, is the brief interlude where Aslan plays tag with Susan and Lucy, the two girls who witnessed his killing by the White Witch and the resurrection that followed. The Great Lion leaps and bounds and shares laughter with the children who, only moments before, were emotionally and spiritually crushed by the death of their beloved friend and protector. While the army of good was going toe to toe with the army of evil, the only one who could make a quick and decisive difference was frolicking about. At first glance, it seems to be an odd decision at best, an irresponsible one at worst. But if we remember that this particular moment in Lewis’s timeless tale is practically verbatim a retelling of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we might view Aslan’s playfulness as something quite telling, indeed.
Psalm 23 is often quoted at funerals for obvious reasons. The psalmist writes the familiar lines: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.” These are familiar words to most if not all of us. Even if we have never heard them in church, we certainly have heard them in films. This is a measure of their popularity and impact, to be sure. What interests me, though, is the line that follows: “You set a table before me in front of my enemies.” Darkness surrounds, and those who would do us harm are in our midst, yet the Good Shepherd sees it fit to prepare and serve a meal all the while. What does this suggest about our Lord and Savior? What does it say about our God?
I can only conjecture, but it seems to me that we are being reminded that, contrary to a sadly common understanding of scripture, evil is not – again, not – on an equal footing with good. Evil is present, evil is dangerous, but it can never overtake good. God, in short, is always in control, even to the point that, in the midst of so much evil, He has no problem setting a table. It is more than just being confident. It is an unabashed demonstration of might. Period.
Lewis very well could have been on to this fact when he had his Christ character, Aslan, play with the girls. A hurried Aslan would be an Aslan dancing to the White Witch’s tune. A playful Aslan is a reminder that he dances to his own tune and his alone. Nobody calls the shots but him. Despite the battle raging around them, if it is time to play tag, then it is time to play tag. That, dear listeners, is omnipotence. All powerful. Our God, indeed. The One who defeated death. The One who sets the table. The One who plays when He wants. The One who roars and roars still when the creatures of the dark forget who the Lion is and what the Lion can do anytime, anywhere ... all of His divine will.
