In the previous chapter, we saw that Peter was left to take his own action while waiting for Aslan. That work continues in Chapter 14 with Peter’s duel versus Miraz. However, Aslan does not leave Peter and Caspian’s army completely alone. We witness "Dryads and Hamadryads and Silvans" that Aslan woke surrounding them just as Trumpkin and Trufflehunter comment on their wish that Aslan would act. However, Peter still must do the work he’s been given to do. These beings are a reminder of Aslan’s presence, and they are there to ensure that the Telmarines, in the end, will not betray their agreement to honor the results of the duel. They are a reminder that even when we must act on our own for our Lord, God is still there to give us aid and protection when we need it. Unfortunately Aslan’s allies are needed. Though Peter acts like a perfect gentleman the whole fight, even allowing time for Miraz to get up after he falls, the Telmarines claim treachery while they are the ones being treacherous. They claim Peter has dishonourably felled Miraz when they themselves are the ones to actually kill him. It is a common trick for the enemy to claim falsehood when it is evil one who is actually untrue. This activity worms its way into humans as well. We see this in Potiphar’s wife in Egypt, who in Genesis 39 accuses Joseph of attacking her after he spurned her advances. God takes this action and uses it to save all of Egypt as wells as Joseph’s family. Aslan too uses all the bad from before for the good of Old Narnia now. During all this time, Aslan has been doing the work to free Narnia. Not only does he free the Ford of Beruna and the animals, he frees the Telmarines as well. This mirrors God’s own work to free us from the bondage of sin by bringing us to new life in Christ Jesus.
Jesus sends Seventy of His followers to spread the Good News to the towns around Him, just as the Apostles later go to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Aslan does the same thing in the towns they pass now. Just as with the Seventy, some listen to Aslan and come, while others do not. It might seem strange that Aslan is coming to set the Telmarines free. After all, they are the ones who enslaved Old Narnia. Rather, we should say, the leaders of the Telmarines did the enslaving, and they enslaved their own people as well. Aslan cares for all in His lands, and so he does the work to free everyone who will listen to Him. Like Jesus, Aslan also takes the time to heal those who need, specifically Caspian’s former nurse. This is a reminder of what Aslan’s true work in the world is. Aslan is there to bring healing and freedom to those who need it, not to simply lead armies off into war. After all, the war against true evil has long been over, and it is simply humans who fight among themselves now. Aslan in Narnia, like God in our world, is there to help heal us from our strife, not to lead to more of it. First and foremost, the work of spreading the Good News, setting the captive free, and restore us to wholeness is important and necessary in Narnia as on Earth. Disclaimer: unless otherwise stated, the majority of images produced here are not owned or created by me. Commenting is encouraged. Please use discretion leaving comments below, letting the love of God guide you.
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The Rev. Trey KennedyHere is my take on how Superheroes and other characters can help us know God better. Categories
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