Sunday, July 15, 2007

A Life for a Life

















White Witch: "Then we must kill this human creature now, and put an end to the Prophecy of the Four Thrones.

...He should be killed on the Stone Table. That is the proper place. But in this emergency, we'll do it here, now and quickly."

(Okay, I know it's just acting, but it still gets me right here, when they're talking so matter-of-factly about killing--my son! That's my poor, innocent, handsome lamb there on his knees.... Well, not so innocent--as none of us are.)

"You can't do that!" cries out Edmund. "Oh yes, we can," replies Fenris Ulf, the chief of the Wolves. "In fact, we often do." Then my other son, the Dwarf there next to the Witch, laughs evilly and launches into "Murder Today."

It's appalling--and hilarious--at the same time!

















By contrast, Aslan, the Christ figure, goes so willingly, so nobly to his undeserved death--giving his life for Edmund's. Again, it's acting, but it's hard for me not to also think of my husband willingly laying down his life to save our son--as I know he would if it was required.

God the Father surely has an even greater love for his Son than any earthly father could have. Yet He did not save him, but sacrificed him for unworthy sinners, traitors and cowards like Edmund, who represents all of us.

The law is perfect and its claims are unchanging
Who could dare to defy
The Deep Magic...from the dawn of time...
Deep Magic...holds punishment for every crime.

At the start of time and history
The magic was established by supreme decree.
Created in his wisdom
And his justice by the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea.


The Law that sentences people to death is glorious. How much more glorious is the work of the Spirit! His work makes people right with God. 2 Cor. 3:7-9 NIRV

Two more pictures.

















I thought the symbolism of the white and the black sheets was most effective in this number, "Deep Magic." Each side held their sheet above them like a canopy, proclaiming by color who "covered" them or who they had chosen to ally themselves with.

















In the end, two Evil Narnians entwine Edmund in the black sheet and he falls, completely covered by its blackness--by his sin, by the Witch's claim on his life. On the final notes, however, his sisters and brother pull the white sheet over him, covering him with grace, with mercy, with the ultimate price about to be paid for his life. It's a powerful moment, and a powerful song.

(For more of the lyrics and for photos of the same song, different production, see this post. In case you're good and confused, our kids have been in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe before, in their children's theater group. This current production is with a community theater group, which is why my husband and I can be in it.)

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