Britton and I went and saw Prince Caspian last night at the Cineplex. It's been 25 years since I read the book, but it's still my favourite of the Narnia series so I have been anxious to go and see it. It did not disappoint. It was fantastic and it reminded me why I enjoyed the book so much. Three things stood out to me as I watched the movie...
I was 12 when i read the book and i don't think I understood the meaning or the message that Lewis was trying to convey. I was caught up in the battles and struggles to see what Lewis was saying. But tonight I understood. There is a scene near the end and Lucy is riding deep into the forest for help, she's being chased on either side by the enemy when out jumps Aslan who rescues her. She buries her face in his mane and he says to her, "why didn't you come to me sooner?" What Lewis was saying through this story hit me. We try so hard to do everything by ourselves, we struggle against the enemy alone and the battle never seems to end. Then in desperation we come to God. And just like Aslan, God embraces us and says, "why didn't you come to me sooner? I could have helped, I would have fought this battle for you. Now come, let me give you the victory." And just like Aslan who delivered the victory that Peter and his crew were powerless to attain, God gives us victory, over sin, over death, over the daily attacks of the evil one. Wow, I didn't get that at 12.
The second thing that was powerful was the scene near the end when speaking to the Telmarines, Aslan offers them a new beginning, back in the land where they came from...earth. Three people step forward (in the book it was one) and say "I will go." And Aslan says to them that because the spoke first they would be blessed, then he breathed on them and they walked through the portal. As I watched, I couldn't help but feel a longing in my heart, for the day when God will say you are blessed and forgiven, enter into your rest.
Lastly, what stood out is the fierceness and the love that Aslan has. The fiercest of creatures, whose roar shakes the earth, whose teeth frighten me (and I know he's CGI) yet gently plays with Lucy when they are reunited. Walks with Peter and Susan through the palace courtyard talking with them. This is a picture of our God. Holy, just, powerful, loving, forgiving, gentle.
What an amazing medium is film and book that it captures the essence of the timeless love story of God for us and evokes new emotion and draws us back to Him.
I was 12 when i read the book and i don't think I understood the meaning or the message that Lewis was trying to convey. I was caught up in the battles and struggles to see what Lewis was saying. But tonight I understood. There is a scene near the end and Lucy is riding deep into the forest for help, she's being chased on either side by the enemy when out jumps Aslan who rescues her. She buries her face in his mane and he says to her, "why didn't you come to me sooner?" What Lewis was saying through this story hit me. We try so hard to do everything by ourselves, we struggle against the enemy alone and the battle never seems to end. Then in desperation we come to God. And just like Aslan, God embraces us and says, "why didn't you come to me sooner? I could have helped, I would have fought this battle for you. Now come, let me give you the victory." And just like Aslan who delivered the victory that Peter and his crew were powerless to attain, God gives us victory, over sin, over death, over the daily attacks of the evil one. Wow, I didn't get that at 12.
The second thing that was powerful was the scene near the end when speaking to the Telmarines, Aslan offers them a new beginning, back in the land where they came from...earth. Three people step forward (in the book it was one) and say "I will go." And Aslan says to them that because the spoke first they would be blessed, then he breathed on them and they walked through the portal. As I watched, I couldn't help but feel a longing in my heart, for the day when God will say you are blessed and forgiven, enter into your rest.
Lastly, what stood out is the fierceness and the love that Aslan has. The fiercest of creatures, whose roar shakes the earth, whose teeth frighten me (and I know he's CGI) yet gently plays with Lucy when they are reunited. Walks with Peter and Susan through the palace courtyard talking with them. This is a picture of our God. Holy, just, powerful, loving, forgiving, gentle.
What an amazing medium is film and book that it captures the essence of the timeless love story of God for us and evokes new emotion and draws us back to Him.
