Let's Be Real: Like a Lion

“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.”

I recently went on a retreat with the ladies of my church.  It was an awesome weekend full of laughter, tears, and fellowship.  During one session, the speaker, Shannon Perry, read 1 Peter 5:7 which states: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  When she read this verse, I was confused.  I love reading the Chronicles of Narnia, which portrays Jesus as the lion, Aslan.  The Bible talks about about Jesus being a lion: "They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion" (Hosea 11:9a).  If the Bible says both Jesus and Satan are lions, that can get pretty confusing.  

I pondered this thought for a while.  Then I had an epiphany: The Lion King.  

Yes, Disney's The Lion King.  Originally, I only thought The Lion King was based on Hamlet, which is true.  

Mufasa is the king.  Simba is Hamlet.  Scar is the evil uncle.  Mufasa is killed by Scar and comes back as a ghost.  Timon and Pumbaa are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  

However, in this epiphany that I had, I realized that these characters also represent these:

Mufasa is Jesus.  Simba is the church.  Scar is Satan.  

I think it's the perfect example.  Let me explain...

Mufasa is the wise king of the savannah.  He's a fierce but just ruler.  He tries to teach his young son, Simba, the ways of a true king.  Unfortunately, Simba believes his father is overbearing.  Typical of young children, this young lion pushes the boundaries one too many times.  However, Simba is not alone in his actions.  Not if his uncle has anything to say about it. 

You see, Scar wants the throne so desperately that he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.  Since his nephew is in line for the throne, Scar tries to alter young, impressionable Simba's mind.  He tries to give Simba fake sympathy; saying Mufasa is trying to brainwash Simba.  

That's exactly what Satan does, isn't it?  He lures us in by saying we are brainwashed.  He tries to convince us that Jesus is simply trying to control all of us.  He makes his argument sound so inviting. . . so appealing.  He makes us think that our Father is too controlling.  He makes us think that we are better off on our own.  

Look at where that got Simba: he ran off and it led to Mufasa falling into a stampede and dying.  Spoiler alert...

Anyway, that's what happened to Jesus, didn't it?  The human race thought they knew best. We thought we knew best.  We strayed from the Lord.  We were swimming farther and farther from the shore in our ocean of sin.  We realized what we did and started crying out to Jesus, blaming Him for our carelessness.  But did Jesus turn His back and say, "Oh well...your fault" ?  No.  He saw us in our time of need and said, "Those are my children. They need me. Father, Your will be done."  Jesus came to earth and died for us.  US. 

What did we ever do to deserve God's grace?  Absolutely nothing.  No amount of good works could pay the price of our sin.  However, Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.   

Now, when Jesus died for us, what did we do?  At first, we were the crowd calling for His crucifixion.  After He died, however, we realized what happened.  We immediately began apologizing and called on Jesus' name.  Why would He answer us?  

We asked for His death.  We wanted those nails in His hands and feet.  We acted as murderers.  Yet, that same day, we played the victims.  We wanted our Jesus back.  We were such hypocrites.  And even after everything we said and did, Jesus rose from the dead.  He came back to us.  He showed us His scars.  As He was hanging on that cross, bleeding to death, He screamed to heaven, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." 

He still loved us.  He still offered His unconditional love to us.  Though we were still sinners, Jesus died for us.  Jesus' act was the epitome of love.  No one else can beat what Jesus did for us.  

He came back.  He beat death.  Now He is in heaven, roaring like a lion.  

Yes, Satan is still a lion.  He is always seeking to tear us to shreds.  However, Jesus' roar overpowers Satan's.  We needn't fear because Jesus will always triumph over Satan.  Jesus will race in and roar at the top of His lungs.  

“When Aslan bears his teeth winter meets its death. When he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

C.S. Lewis

Two lions. One cross. Every life saved.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

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