Jesus Reigns

In C.S. Lewis’ famous book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Mr. Beaver mentions Aslan to the four Pevensie children. Upon hearing Aslan’s name, something stirred within Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy. So they begin to inquire about this yet-to-be-known “Aslan.”

When they find out Aslan isn’t a man, but rather a lion, Susan admits fear. She can’t help but ask, “Is he safe?” To which Mr. Beaver replies,

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

― C.S. Lewis, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

Many humans want to see Jesus the same way Susan hoped Aslan would be. We want meek & mild Jesus to be our best friend who hears our prayers and gives us health, wealth, and happiness.

But Jesus is so much more. “He’s the King, I tell you!” Jesus, right now, is reigning over all things. Because…

• …when a circlet of thorns was jammed onto his brow, He was crowned King over All.
• …when He was nailed to a cross and raised on high, the King took His throne.
• …when a spear pierced His side, His body and blood became the food and wine of the King’s feast.

As Philippians 2:8-11 says, because Jesus went through the cross, He was raised on high, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee would bow and tongue confess that He is the King. That’s why Jesus, before His ascension, said that all authority had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18).

Now, I suspect you may be thinking that the unjustness of the world, or the chaos around you, is “evidence” that Jesus is not ruling and reigning. “Maybe one day,” you think to yourself, “but it just doesn’t feel like it right now.”

But think about that for a second. A good earthly king would not condone everything happening within his kingdom, yet he is still reigning to the farthest corners of his territory. Likewise, just because you might find yourself in an awful situation, or life isn’t going according to “plan,” doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t reigning. He most certainly is reigning – and doing so perfectly.

The question is, will you trust Him? Will you trust that even though your situation may not be what you longed for, King Jesus will one day make “all things work together for good” for you (Romans 8:28) if you are part of His Kingdom? Because He is so much better than just a “safe” King. He is good. And this good King is perfectly reigning over all things, including you.