Who gets to participate in Aslan’s Great Quest, or in Jesus’ Great Commission?

King Caspian shows the sailors on the Dawn Treader

that it is more of a privilege than a duty to serve on the crew.

The Dawn Treader’s Crew: “need to” or “get to” go

 by Michael Krigline, North Canton, Ohio (Dec 2010)

          I can’t wait to see the new Narnia film, Voyage of the Dawn Treader (which opens today in the USA). But the last time I read this timeless book, the King of Narnia taught me a few things about “who gets to participate” in grand adventures. And I think C.S. Lewis (the creator of Narnia) would agree that King Caspian's methods could provide a powerful example to those who lead our churches, as well as to anyone who has ever invited a friend to embark on the greatest adventure of them all: following Jesus.

You “need to” come--a personal experience

          While on vacation a few years ago, I visited a large church. A guest evangelist was in the pulpit, telling those in attendance why they “need to” come along on Jesus’ Great Adventure. A brief description of his methods may explain why few accepted his invitation. With fiery metaphors and sarcastic illustrations he chided the congregation for their unfaithfulness. He cited dwindling attendance, lack of prayer, shortages of workers, inconsistent giving, etc., as evidence of their need for “something better.” Next, he trained his sights on unnamed (and un‑present!) pastors for not working together, not sharing their pulpits, and for being more jealous of their sheep‑count than zealous for their Shepherd.

          Finally, it was time for the invitation: “come, guilty sinners; you need to repent and let God have your sorry life....” Two brave souls stepped out, but the evangelist was not satisfied, so he extended the invitation to those needing special prayer on account of their sin. A few more trickled forward (and I couldn't help but notice the absence of men among those responding). Still not satisfied, the invitation continued to expand. He had his heart set on a packed altar, and would thunder guilt and shame until it happened! Finally he called for all who "want revival" to come forward. Many slowly came--others quietly left.

          The speaker was passionate and persistent, and many of his complaints were valid, but if the goal was to excite the church to move forward in serving their King, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Maybe the listeners were just tired after years of service, but could it be that they simply failed to grasp how glorious “serving the King” could be?

You “get to” come--Caspian’s method

          Meanwhile, back on the Dawn Treader, the crew (much like the average congregation, I thought) was also tired. The Treader was in port, nearing the end of a long journey. They had set out in great pomp to sail "to the world's end--and the beginning of Aslan's Country!" But on the way, "through many dangers, toils and snares, they had already come." The King and other leaders were ready for the last leg of the journey, but among the crew there was mutiny in the air.

(continued)

unfaithfulness or laziness--even treason. But the wise King knew he needed hearts, not just bodies, in order to achieve success in the uncharted seas beyond the horizon. With the tenderness of voice which can only come from the heart of one who loves you, King Caspian spoke to the crew on the eve of departure:

       Friends, I think you have not quite understood our purpose. You talk as if we had come to you begging for shipmates. It isn't like that at all. We have an errand to the world's edge. It is our pleasure to choose from among such of you as are willing those whom we deem worthy of so high an enterprise. I shall now command the captain to consider carefully what men among you are the hardest in battle, the most skilled seamen, the purest in blood, the most loyal to our person, and the cleanest of life and manners.
      Aslan's Mane! Do you think that the privilege of seeing the last things is to be bought with a song? Why, every man that comes with us shall bequeath the title of Dawn Treader to all his descendants and when we land at home he shall have either gold or land enough to make him rich all his life!
 

          Sights were raised! A vision was imparted! Within the half hour, all but one had asked to be considered worthy of the honor! The altars were packed, and the crew was ready to press on in the great unfinished task that lay before them!

An application

          Those of us who have accepted the challenge to serve the King of Kings--the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ--have a high calling. To the sinner (and all have sinned, falling short of the perfect standard God set for us), we bring both the call to repentance and an invitation to begin the Great Adventure. To the saint (fellow crew members on the Great Adventure), we bring the winds of hope to revive travel-weary sails, a trustworthy compass to point the way ahead, and the promise of the Great Captain's "Well done!" to beckon God's people on to victorious exploits in His Name!
          The horizons call us ever forward! The great cloud of witnesses is cheering us on! So let us forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. Do we think that the privilege of seeing the last things is to be bought with a song? No! Although our voyage begins when we admit our utter need for the free gift of salvation, once we respond we are boarding a troop ship, not a cruise liner. The privilege of celebrating on the endless shores of God’s grace goes to “good and faithful servants” who “endure to the end,” having embraced the hope of the gospel and the liberty of obedience.

See my Movie Study Guides for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Prince Caspian

For more information about Christianity, check out www.ccci.org/whoisjesus/interactive-journey

The article ©2010 Michael Krigline, all rights reserved. Permission granted to print/copy for personal use.

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