Finding the perfect place to hide seemed impossible. She was so small, and they were so clever. How would she find the perfect spot? Then opening a spare room door, she spotted the enormous wardrobe. In taking a step inside the wardrobe, Lucy took a step into a magical adventure into the land of Narnia.

While Lucy’s first adventures into Narnia take her to meeting a delightful faun named Mr. Tumnus, Edmund’s take him to meeting the evil White Witch, who introduces herself as the Queen of Narnia. Enchanting all of Narnia so it is always winter, she enchants Edmund by feeding him Turkish delight, encouraging him to bring Peter, Susan, and Lucy to meet her. With her plan to kill them, the prophecy will be prevented from being fulfilled.

Finally, as all of the Pevensie children enter the land of Narnia, the adventures really begin. Discovering the arrest of Mr. Tumnus, Lucy implores her brothers and sister to help rescue him. From Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, the children learn of Aslan, the rightful King of Narnia, and in the story, a representation of Jesus. As the Pevensie children begin their journey toward Aslan, Edmund, still deceived by the witch, slips off to warn her of Aslan’s return.

As the story continues, Edmund is rescued but found to be a traitor. Because of his treachery, the Deep Magic required the blood of the traitor. The White Witch had a right to take Edmund’s life. After a private conversation between the witch and Aslan, Aslan declares the witch has renounced her claim on Edmund’s life. Little did they all know, Aslan would soon sacrifice his life for Edmund.

While C.S. Lewis’ book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, is a fictional story, he makes clear parallels between Aslan and Jesus. Aslan is tormented, humiliated, and finally killed by the witch and her horde of evil followers. He gave his life, so Edmund could live. Aslan does not stay dead but returns to life. In the Bible God wrote the greater story of Jesus, His Son, who gave His life to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind. He gave His life, so we could live, but He did not stay dead. Jesus is our Risen Savior! It is this true story we celebrate during holy week.

Just pause for a moment. Take time to quietly read what Jesus did for me and for you.

“And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

So also, the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:28-31, 41-43, 45-46, 50)

Jesus, the Son of God, left His throne in heaven to become man and give His life for you and me. I sinned, yet He never sinned. He did what I could not do. He took on what I deserved. He paid the penalty for my sin, and when I accepted God’s gift of salvation through faith, He not only pardoned my sin but provided me with eternal life. Jesus gave His life, so that I could live.

This gift is the same He offers to you. As you gather to celebrate our Risen Savior on Easter Sunday morning, what will you be celebrating? Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus?