For a birthday gift last year, Paige “commissioned” an artist to paint a lion along with one of my favorite quotes from ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.’ It is found in the discussion when the children are asking about Aslan, the Christ-figure in the story:
“Is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. Certainly not. I tell you he is King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-sea. Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion – The Lion, the great lion.”
“Oh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Aren’t you listening? He’s a Lion! Of Course He Isn’t Safe!
But He’s Good.
What a remarkable description.
Jesus is not safe.
Choosing Him will cost you your life!
C.S.Lewis discovered this in his own life when he wrestled with Jesus over belief.
He discovered that Jesus was not safe. It cost Lewis his life.
All of a sudden his mind was filled with wanting to discover more about Jesus and write about Him and talk about Him. His life was consumed with this unsafe King.
But Lewis also discovered something else remarkable about Jesus along his journey.
That Jesus is Good.
He may not be safe, but He is the only One who can control your life without destroying it.
Not even you can do that.
What a Great King!
Jesus is not safe… But He is good.
And He is worth it.
You can trust this Unsafe King with your life.