Why Seek We the Living Among the Dead?

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis have long been my favorite book series.  Earlier in my life, I was able to gain a greater understanding and knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ through these stories. (So much so that I'm sometimes worried that I may be disappointed to find that He isn't a lion... though I'm sure we will all experience nothing short of wonder and awe at His presence.)

One of these stories, The Horse and His Boy, recounts the journey of an orphan named Shasta who sets off to find a better life and realizes his true worth and identity along the way. Throughout his adventure, Shasta has several encounters with lions: some pleasant, but most less than pleasant. Toward the end of the story, he feels an unseen presence next to him on his path.  Mustering his courage, he speaks to it, eventually telling it of his journey and the troubles he has faced...

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"I do not call you unfortunate," said the Large Voice.

"Don't you think it was bad luck to meet so many lions?" said Shasta.

"There was only one lion," said the Voice.

..."How do you know?"

"I was the lion." And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the Voice continued. "I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead.  I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept.  I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in with you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat,
wakeful at midnight, to receive you."

(emphasis added)

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What the boy had seen as trials had actually been the presence of a Being that knew the paths he needed to take, the friends he needed to make, the protection he needed to have, the correction he needed to receive and the motivation he needed to find in order to succeed in the very best way.

My favorite part of the Easter story in the scriptures is found in Luke chapter 24.  The women who come to prepare the body of Christ find the stone rolled from the sepulchre and His body missing.  They are then met by two angels who ask them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" 

While Christ's Atonement was the single greatest act in the history of the world, His death was made most significant by His resurrection.  I am so grateful to know not only that Jesus Christ died for me, but that He Lives. He lives for me and with me each day to guide and correct me along my life's journey as I remember to seek Him. 

He is the Lion.


http://easter.mormon.org/?CID=612626/