Moment of Meditation: Not a Safe Lion (Matthew 10:34)

Original Broadcast: June 2008

Monthly Theme: Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

[Jesus said:] "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.
I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."
(Matthew 10:34)

"Not a Safe Lion"

I believe Mr. Beaver summarized Aslan well to any newcomers to Narnia: "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good" (80).

In the same way, Jesus is not safe. A newcomer to Christianity sometimes has problems when we get to a statement by Jesus like we have before us this morning. We're used to seeing Jesus as a kind, loving person who would never say anything not "nice" to anyone. Everyone wants a safe Jesus, but the Jesus the Bible shows us is not safe. He is like Aslan someone where "if there's anyone who can appear before [him] without their knees knocking, they are either braver than most or else plain silly" (80).

Jesus is not safe, but as Mr. Beaver reminds us, "He's good." He's good because He was the one who came to die for the sins of the world. He is the one who makes you whole through His sacrifice and life. That wasn't a "safe" solution. Amen.