While in London we attended the Lyceum Theatre production of the Lion King. Fabulous! Amazing! Inspiring! I love the music, performed in the original movie by Elton John, and the costuming was magnificent. It’s a show that won’t disappoint.

The celebratory music of Lion King always brings me to tears. It did in 1994 when I first saw the movie, and did again last night when I saw the live production. I think its because there is a spiritual theme in the show. Some folks say they don’t see it, but I think it contains more Christian metaphor than in any other piece of modern theatrical art I know of. In fact, I’ll take it a step further: there was more genuine worship in the Lyceum than in either of the worship services I experienced at Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral, though I’ll grant the majority of the “worshipers” didn’t recognize it. Let me explain:

Lion King opens with a scene of much jubilation. There is dancing across the savannah. All creation is engaged in a display of joy culminating in a John-the-Baptist figure (The Baboon) lifting the baby Simba in presentation before all his subjects in a “behold the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world” sort of way.

Mufasa is God the Father. Simba is Jesus. Scar is Satan-the-Accuser loading guilt on Simba for Mufasa’s death. The Baboon, playing an additional role, is the Holy Spirit, prompting, guiding, and providing insight during times of confusion.  To make it even better the Baboon was played by a large black woman. She had that encouraging manner about her, a happy and large “everything-will-be-alright” kind of voice, and her round appearance gave her a comfortable, hug-able quality.

Obviously, Lion King is a work of fiction so the analogy doesn’t perfectly fit at every juncture. But at a macro level it does, and you’d expect people who don’t know God to write a piece that might demonstrate much spiritual truth but be missing in the micro-level specifics.

Think about what happens in the whole of the work. When Scar killed Mufasa and ran Simba off, then the pride was without their God figure and they suffered for it. The lands began to diminish in their abundant bounty. The pride ran out of food and water. Chaos reigned in the form of Scar’s henchmen the hyenas (Satan’s demons) terrorizing the land.

Isn’t that what we experience when God is not in his rightful place in our lives? We are terrorized by chaos. We live a life that is less than it could be. We suffer.

But in the play, as in our lives, when the King is restored to his rightful place he brings order and banishes chaos. In one final victorious act Simba threw Scar from the top of pride-rock into the abyss to be eternally tortured by the hyenas. The pride lands begin to flourish. The King’s subjects began to experience bliss as evidenced by their dancing and joyful singing. They were worshipping.

That’s our experience. When Christ is placed in his rightful position the chaos in our life begins to abate. We begin to flourish. Jesus said it would happen when he told the disciples “I have come that you might have a more abundant life.” That’s what Simba gave to the pride. It’s what Christ offers to you and me.

I love the Lion King. I’m caught up in worship as I experience it. It moves me to tears. Whereever it is playing I’d encourage you to attend and observe through the lens I’ve offered. See if you don’t experience what I’m talking about.

Thank God that in the land of Abbeys and Cathedrals so beautiful and yet so lacking that we still have Lion King. What’s the scripture say? If you fail to worship the very rocks will cry out. All creation gives praise in the Lion King.

Amen.