[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Thursday December 8, 2005

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotion Thursday December 8, 2005

The Devotions this week are written by Erin Anderson, interim director of
Young Discipleship at Zion. Her theme is Preparing for Narnia, Preparing for
Jesus.        

Kings  &  Queens

The so-called "Queen of Narnia" is the White Witch, who is a wicked,
spiteful woman.  But the King of Narnia, the son of the Emperor from across
the sea, is Aslan, the Great Lion.  These two are at odds with one another,
and the rumor of Aslan's return to Narnia and the four humans who have now
entered this world to fulfill the prophecy has put this self-proclaimed
Queen in quite the predicament.  She is feverishly trying to find and
destroy these "Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve" so that she will continue
to have power in the land.

 

Does this situation remind you of another story??  Maybe a story in the
Bible that we read around this time of year??  Perhaps the story of King
Herod's fear about the coming of Jesus?  In Matthew 2:1-6 we read:

 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise
men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the child who has
been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at its rising, and
have come to pay him homage.'  When King Herod heard this, he was
frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was
to be born.  They told him, 'in Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been
written by the prophet:

"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the
rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my
people Israel."'

 

Matthew goes on to tell about King Herod's decree to kill all children two
years and under in and around Bethlehem.  But God is steps ahead of Herod,
Jesus the Christ child is safe in Egypt. 

 

These two stories are not totally parallel but what they both show is the
rule of humans can be flawed, but the rule of God is not.  God came back to
this earth in the form of a child, to save this world from its destructive
self.  The prophecy was fulfilled, is fulfilled.  And by God's divine
intervention, of sending His son to die for us and to save us, we have been
made heirs to the throne.  We are lifted up and we will live as kings and
queens in eternity.  

 

Us?  Kings and queens?  Us who fall short of being perfect and almighty?
And God can use us even now, today.   We are like the new kings and queens
of Narnia.  Like Queen Lucy, the Valiant, who has continual joy in the Lord
and seeks out new adventures knowing God is in control.  Or like King Edmund
the Just, who once was independent and betrayed others, but has now turned
from foolish ways and has become a wise one sought out for council and sound
judgment.  Or Queen Susan the Gentle, who once struggled to believe in God,
but is now a source of reassurance and comfort to those searching.  Or King
Peter the Magnificent, who is brave in the fight, who will stand up for his
beliefs and battle on to help free others from the bounds of the White Witch
and show them Christ the King and God above all, our mighty Emperor.  And
may we all, like Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, sense the awe and power at
the mention of God's name. 

 

Philippians 2:9-11

 

King of Kings, Almighty God, you have crowned us as your own.  You have
lifted us to high statures we do not deserve.  You have blessed us with many
riches, way beyond what we could ever repay.  At the sound of your name, may
we reverence you above all.  May we feel brave, comforted, forgiven and
overjoyed, and may we spread the knowledge of You as our Ruler to all those
we meet.   Amen.

 

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