Washed in the Blood

DISCLAIMER: Spoilers for The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis ahead!

C.S. Lewis’ sixth Narnia book, The Silver Chair, ends with the death of one of Narnia’s most beloved characters. However, Lewis transforms a truly sad moment into one of unrivaled hope. He does this by showing the reader the glory of resurrection. 

King Caspian was one of the main characters in two Narnia books, Prince Caspian (named for him) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. He befriended the Pevensie children as well as their cousin Eustace when these children adventured in Narnia. However, in The Silver Chair, Caspian is now old and nearing the end of his days. After Eustace and Jill – the children from our world who went to Narnia in this book – complete their mission, Caspian dies almost immediately. This tragedy sent sorrow and wailing heartbreak through the creatures of Narnia.

However, after this moment, Aslan, the great Lion (who is Jesus in Narnia), appears. The children ask to go home, and Aslan grants this request. Their surroundings melt away, and they realize they are in Aslan’s country. In this place, they see King Caspian lying dead in a stream of clear water. Aslan, Eustace, and Jill all weep at this sight. 

However, Aslan then makes a seemingly strange request. He tells Eustace to get a thorn from the thicket and to drive it into his paw. Eustace doesn’t want to, but he obeys the Lion’s request, but he does so. Aslan splashes his blood into the stream over Caspian’s body. When this happens, Caspian’s body reverts to his younger self, and then he jumps up laughing, joyfully embracing his friends. 

The children are understandably confused, but Aslan confirms for them that Caspian did die. Caspian explained that he doesn’t belong in Narnia anymore. He has come to stay in Aslan’s country and is more himself there than he was in Narnia before his death. 

I find it interesting that, before Caspian was resurrected, he was washed in Aslan’s blood. We are all offered a bodily resurrection every bit as real and tangible as the one C.S. Lewis described in his children’s book, and we attain this resurrection the same way: we must be covered by the blood of our Lord and Savior. 

The Bible tells us that we are redeemed by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 1:7), that His blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7), and that those who conquer Satan will do it “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Jesus willingly shed His blood for us on the cross, and in doing so, He made it possible for us to be made right with Him. 

A familiar hymn asks the straightforward question, “are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” Without Jesus, we have no hope of being forgiven of our sins. But because He gave His life for us, we can take on His right standing with God. All we have to do is place our faith in Him, believe that Jesus is Lord, and confess our need for Him. When we do this, Jesus metaphorically washes us in His blood. 

It is by Jesus’ blood that we are forgiven, justified, and redeemed. So I want to ask you the question this hymn asks: “Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” 

If they are not, cry out to Jesus today. In knowing Him, you will be promised resurrection. Praise God that He washes us in His Son’s blood so we can walk with Him in His land eternally.