Aslan

In The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe

The great Lion and Jesus figure of the movie.  He was prophesied to come and save his people, as the coming of the Messiah was foretold. From the time we met the beavers we were told of the coming of Aslan.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23

When Edmund was returned to Aslan, the witch queen reminded him that she was owed Edmund’s blood. Aslan instead died for the sin of Edmund just like Jesus died for the sins of the world. Only a pure and innocent being can die for the sin of others, and rise again. This is important as only Jesus, who was fully sinless, could die for the sins of the world.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3: 16-17

The stone table was a reference for the cross, in that it was the burden of the saviour, and what he died on. Aslan like Jesus was assaulted before he died, and shaved, just like Jesus was robbed of his clothing and stabbed. 

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

John 19: 23-24

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

John 19:34

After the death of both Aslan and Jesus there was an earthquake. When aslan resurrected, and there was an earthquake when Jesus died there was one. And the stone table split like the rocks did in the bible.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

Matthew 27:51

Aslan after his resurrection, brings beings back to life, or rather  reanimates them, this can be compared to how Jesus resurrects people in the Bible.

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

John 11:38-44

Lastly both Aslan and Jesus left their followers with the promise of returning one day in the future, with that date unknown to everyone else.

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:6-11

In Prince Caspian:

Aslan continues to be the embodiment of God in the second movie. He demonstrates the christian ideals of compassion and forgiveness in his interactions with the Telemarines and non-believers. Instead of being striking them down he forgives those who have done bad things or gone against him and gives them an opportunity to change their ways.

His character demonstrates baptismal like abilities both with the water spirit at the end of the great battle, and with his breath on the ex-wife and advisor of the king at the end of the movie.

Beyond his actions in either movie Aslan also embodies a christlike figure as Christ was often called the lion of Judah.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Revelations 5:5