In The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe, the character Edmund Pevensie personifies gluttony, the sin
of excessively using things, normally associated with the appetite, and, in
effect, making one's belly the god he serves (Phil. 3:19). This is just one of
the sinful areas in his life. Jadis, the White Witch, exploits Edmund's
weaknesses when she meets him in a snowy wood, offering him a warm drink and
Turkish Delight, his favorite candy. From the first bite, he is hooked, for
each "piece was sweet and light to the very center and Edmund had never tasted
anything more delicious." As she pumps him for information regarding his
brother and sisters, he readily replies, driven by an insatiable hunger for more
and more Turkish Delight. "At first Edmund tried to remember that it is rude to
speak with one's mouth full, but soon he forgot about this and thought only of
trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as he could, and the more he ate,
the more he wanted to eat, and he never asked himself why the Queen should be so
inquisitive" (p.32)….
Edmund's gluttonous desire
has deadly ramifications…. While Edmund is saved by the intervention and
intercession of Aslan, (the Christ figure in the story) the cost is deadly to
the latter. Lewis' point in emphasizing Edmund's gluttony, (one of the seven
deadly sins), is to illustrate vividly the effects of sins in general and this
sin in particular; over-indulgence blinds us to the truth, turning us inward,
making us slaves to our own insatiable desires.
May the newborn King make us generous
in giving, passionate in worship, zealous in service, and radical in our
hospitality. We are so blessed and privileged to celebrate His birth once
again. He emptied Himself and came that we might be full; He became a servant
to make us a royal priesthood.
This comes to you with our deep love
and gratitude to all of you for your love and affection over the years. Let us
once again join our hearts and minds to sing glorious carols and triumphant
hymns, so that Satan might tremble and flee away, and the world might know once
again that the Savior reigns. Amen and Amen.
In Jesus our Lord.
Brown
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