Narnia - Stephanie Snyder

The Role of Aslan

I love the character of Aslan in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. I know that it is a widely acknowledged parallell between the character of Aslan in the world of Narnia and Jesus Christ. As a Christian, I am captivated by the character of Jesus. The love that he has for his people is overwhelming and the great lengths that he goes to show his love is remarkable, case and point, His humble and blameless death. Aslan is not unlike Jesus in this aspect, as seen in the story of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
I love how Aslan is spoken about by others. My all time favorite line comes from Mr. Beaver when he is asked if Aslan is safe. He responds that he isn't safe, but he is good.
The stories told in such simplicity to children, such as those in the Chronicles of Narnia, help paint a clearer and simpler picture of who Christ is. Through Aslan, we see played throughout the story of Narnia how he protects, how he is omniscient, forgiving, and loving. But he is also just, fierce, and wild.
I remember thoughout points of reading through the Chronicles how I expereinced a vast array of feelings that drew me to the character of Aslan. These are the same reactions I have when I encounter Jesus. I think Lewis did a great job translating the character of Christ into the character of Aslan.
The ultimate example of Christ I found was in the situation of Aslan taking the place of Edmund when the white witch demands she receive the blood of the traitor. Lewis portrays Aslan in a tangible way that makes me think of the great sacrifice of Jesus. While he knew the outcome would be glorious resurrection, the weight of sin was on his shoulders and his heart was broken for those who he had to suffer for. I remember the feeling I had when I recognized how alone and isolated Jesus must have felt in those last hours before his death. Lewis helped me understand the weight of the price Christ has to pay and the expereince he went through leading up to the cross through his portrayal of Aslan at the stone table.