| Isaiah 53:5-6 – “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought its peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” |
If you’ve seen the movie or read the book “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” one of the stories within “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, you might remember Mr. Beaver, using the phrase “bedknobs and broomsticks” when he’s surprised or caught off guard such as when the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve appear in Narnia. Their arrival heralds the promise of Aslan’s return and breaking the hold the White Witch has had on Narnia.
C.S. Lewis was a master of symbolism in his writing and used the components in “The Chronicles of Narnia” as an allegory about the coming of Christ. Toward the end of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” Aslan, symbolizing Christ, offers himself to the White Witch in place of the Sons of Adam, Edmund, who had betrayed his brother and sisters and behaved terribly. In a scene symbolizing Christ’s going to the cross for our sins and bad behavior, Aslan willingly walks into the clutches of the White Witch and her minions where they gleefully, torture him, shave his mighty mane and ultimately kill him.
I can’t bear to watch that scene. It hursts too much to see what Aslan suffers but more importantly, to know that it symbolizes what Christ went through and willingly suffered for us. On the other side of Aslan’s death in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” he rises again and rules over Narnia with peace, goodness, warmth, and joy rather than coldness and fear of evil that had reigned previously. This scene powerfully symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice and suffering that made way for His resurrection that gave us the gift of a life with Him in heaven – a place filled with light, joy, happiness, contentment, and eternal peace in His presence.
So, the next time you’re surprised or caught off guard, think “bedknobs and broomsticks” and take that opportunity to remember what Christ suffered and that He willingly sacrificed himself to die in our place just so we can live with Him forever in heaven.
Dear God: Thank you for the gift of your Son’s death that gives us the hope of a heavenly home with you. Thank you for writers such as C.S. Lewis that you gifted with skills and insight to show us new ways to more fully appreciate your sacrifice and love for us Please help us to always be aware of the power of that sacrifice and live our lives accordingly.
- Lindy Bell
