A scene in one of the Narnia Chronicles nearly comes close to depicting Aslan, the great lion, as a weak and helpless leader.
On the one hand, as the gangly evil creatures cut his hair, mock him, and more, he seems quite powerless.
However, on the other hand, a deeper and more profound strength is being expressed–something Jadis, the White Witch, did not understand.
What is that strength?
Before answering that question, let’s examine two extremes and consider what strength is not.
Often, when we face difficulties, are we not tempted to move between over-expressing and under-expressing our feelings, perspectives, and otherwise authentic emotions? We do this often under the false allusion that what is being expressed is stronger than it really is.
What do I mean?
Think about it from your personal experiences. How do you respond when you’re in traffic, get disrespected, have a conflict with a spouse or friend, or have any challenge that doesn’t meet your expectations or desires?
Depending on your general disposition, you’re likely to, on the one hand, push it under the rug (i.e., kick the conflict-can down the road or use manipulation to endure the challenge(s)) or, on the other hand, take it head-on (i.e., get loud or use anger to control the challenge(s)). We understand these two extremes intuitively and often resort to them out of default response to difficulty. What are we really doing when we’re in those extremes? We are either resigning or controlling our environment. In either case, we’re not as strong as we think we are…
Is that the kind of strength that Alsan was demonstrating?
Was Alsan resigned to his fate? Or was there something else taking place as he remained silent?
What strength did Aslan express?
Aslan’s strength is similar to what Christ expressed as He went to the cross.
Here’s how it is depicted in Matthew 26:62-63 “The high priest stood up and said to Him, ‘Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?’ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.'”
This passage points back to a prophetic word given by the Old Testament prophet as recorded in Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” Here, Isaiah points forward to a day when the piercing, scourging, crushing, and healing would coincide.
No noise would be made…silence.
However, this silence would not be resignation or internal protest. Instead, it would be, in the case of Christ, an act of surrender to the weight of God’s redemptive mission–pure strength.
Indeed, Christ’s silence was neither an act of cowardice nor a bitter demonstration. Christ’s silence was an expression of God’s strength.
And it’s here that we see the strength C.S. Lewis depicts in his fearless leader, Aslan. As the great lion surrenders under the mockery, shame, and brutality of the White Witch and her minions, he is, in that moment of silence, portraying a strength incomprehensible. Later, when Aslan rose from his death, the show of strength in all its revitalized glory was more than she could bear. In the end, Aslan silence led to Jadis’ demise.
Indeed, “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” -Proverbs 17:28
How Does This Apply to Us Today?
- Are there times to speak? Yes. And Christ often did speak.
- However, are there times to be silent? Yes. This is the strength of Christ and is fictionally expressed in Aslan.
- When silence seems the best path forward, ensure it is not a silence of resignation or internal protest. Instead, let silence be born in a humble spirit, laying down one’s desires for the good of another or a group.
Lord, help us to speak when it’s time to speak and to be silent when it’s time to be silent. Amen.
— February 13, 2025