A Bigger Christ

In C.S. Lewis’ , Narnia is a land where the animals speak, where the forces of evil are strong, and where Aslan, though only seen on rare occasions, is the dominant figure. Lucy is one of the children who is transported to Narnia.

In one of the later books – – Lucy, after a prolonged absence (one year since entering the wardrobe), is reunited with the Lion, Aslan in Narnia. “Welcome child,” he said.

Lucy said, “Aslan, you’re bigger.”

And he answered, “That is because you are older, little one.”

“Oh, not because you are?” Lucy said.

“Oh, I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

That’s what studying the life of Christ will do – enlarge your understanding, deepen your love, and raise your convictions regarding the Lion of Judah.

Have you found the Lion, like Aslan told Lucy, to become a little bigger in your life as you ponder Him, read of Him, pray to Him? In Book 7 of the Chronicles of Narnia (“The Last Battle”) Tirian (the King of Narnia at the time) and Digory (one of his lords) are looking into a stable that seemed bigger on the inside than the outside.

Lucy tells these two figures the following: “In our world, too, a stable once had something in it bigger than the whole world.” This is the Divine Child John is speaking of.

He had to come as he came (born of a virgin) in order to be what he was (a perfect man inhabited by God). He had to be what he was in order to do what he did (die to redeem us). He had to do what he did so that we might have what he has (his life, all that we lost in Adam). We have to have what he has in order to be what he was (perfect: man inhabited by God).