Jesus as King and Comforter

I have recently started reading through the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, and just finished The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I came across a wonderful part of the story where Aslan, Susan, and Lucy are celebrating the fact that Aslan has come back from the dead. Now, it is important to mentioned that Aslan is a Lion. Lewis described how they were playing tag, rolling around, and generally goofing off. Then in a fit of giggling and panting they lay together on the grass in simple and pure joy. “Whether it was more like playing with a thunderstorm or playing with a kitten Lucy was never make up her mind.”

I loved that dual image of Aslan, who is the Jesus figure in the story. It is so comforting to think of Jesus both as a powerful protector and king as well as a comforter and friend. We always need Jesus, but there are times in our life when we need Jesus Christ The King in our lives. We need to know that there is someone with the power and control that we don’t have who can cast away legions of demons (Matthew 8:28-34). Yet, at other times we need Jesus the Comforter who can wrap us up in His love and affection. In John 13:23 it says that one of the disciples was reclining on Jesus. It is a beautiful thought, that the Son of God is willing to let us recline on Him because He loves us that much and desires that level of intimacy.

It is also okay, like Lucy, if you never make up your mind about whether Jesus is a Lion or the Lamb. The wonderful this about Jesus is that He is beyond our understanding, but he does not require that we fully understand him, merely that we fully trust and love Him. I encourage you to embrace Christ in his fullness of both power and gentleness.