Aslan Has Arrived

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” –1 Peter 1:3

In his splendid children’s story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C.S. Lewis paints a very dreary, hopeless picture of the fantasy world of Narnia. He writes that it is “Always winter but never Christmas.” The White Witch is the tyrant of this frozen world. Its inhabitants groan under her rule of terror and hide when they sense she has arrived in their vicinity. There is no joy, peace, or contentment because the citizens of Narnia never know when they may be the next victim of their diabolical queen.

There is a glimmer of hope among the Narnian citizenry. A prophecy uttered what seemed to be ages before keeps them dreaming for a better day. The oracle stated,

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

C.S. Lewis did a masterful job in this story of portraying the spiritual condition of our earthly sphere under the domination of Satan. Our spiritual foe has robbed most of earth’s residents of the joy and blessed assurance that is only found in a relationship with the true and living God. While most people don’t realize it, they live in a spiritual world where it’s always winter but never Christmas. They sense there’s something more lovely that will beam rays of sunshine into their souls, but they are so darkened they don’t know where to find it. How sad!

Wonderfully, another “Aslan,” the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), Jesus Christ, has entered our realm. Here He lived a perfect life, died the awful death we deserved on the Cross, and rose victorious. Through His life, death, and resurrection all are redeemed. Or to use C.S. Lewis’ imagery, Aslan has borne his teeth, winter has met its death. He’s shaken his mane, so we have spring again. We need only receive the gift of salvation Jesus Christ offers freely to all, and a new spiritual springtime is ours no matter what season we may find ourselves in!

All of us at First English Lutheran Church, Marysville, OH have the privilege to share this astonishing news with frozen, dying souls around us. During this season when Spring is in the air we are offering the full complement of Holy Week and Easter services (check your weekly bulletins, our website firstenglishlutheranchurch.com, our Facebook page, and this copy of Grace Notes for the particulars). Pray that nothing will hinder those who desire to, from attending our church during this holy season. Pray for insight regarding who you might invite to Holy Week/Easter services at FELC and do it! Pray that God will give you an opportunity to ROAR-out the news about Jesus with someone who needs to know that He is the resurrection and the life! Finally, pray that the Holy Spirit will melt frozen hearts as they hear about our Jesus who loves them so dearly that He laid down His life to redeem them.

He is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Pastor Kurt Luebkeman