#11 THE LION KING

Memorable Lines from Movies, Big Story in Bible 

#11 THE LION KING
The Missing Father Figure

In any story, the father figure motif never fails to strike a chord deep in our hearts. Whether the father is good or bad, present or absent, the image makes us think of similar figures in our lives. 

From "Star Wars" with Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, to "Indiana Jones" with Indiana and Henry Jones; from "Finding Nemo" with Marlin and Nemo, to Les Miserables with Jean Valjean and Cosette, this ubiquitous father figure makes each story heart-rending and compelling.

The 1994 Disney movie, "The Lion King", is no different. Simba, a young lion, is next in line to be king of Pride Land. His evil uncle Scar orchestrated the death of Simba's father, Mufasa, and takes the throne. Made to feel responsible for his father’s death, Simba runs away.

Growing up without his father, he longs to hear “one word, just a word” from him. At the story’s turning point, he sees his reflection in a pool, sees his father, and hears him say, “Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true king." Those words transform Simba who returns to claim his rightful place. 

What gives the father figure such power to change us? Could it be that each of us look for an authority figure in our life? Not only authority but bound with it, love and security. Our identity is found, not only in who we are, but in whose we are. The affirmation, You are my son, changed everything for Simba. 

Big Story in Bible

In many religions, the Divine Being is the authority figure — holy, otherworldly and transcendent. Does any mortal dare address such a Being with a salutation as affectionate and intimate as “Father”. The Christian faith makes this unique claim: 

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”" Romans 8:15 ESV

Against uncertainly and fear, we are adopted to be sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father, calling God, Abba, or Papa or Daddy. Could there be any relationship as close and personal between God and humans? None would presume to address God thus, unless we were given permission to do so. 

Jesus taught his followers, “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’”Matthew 6:9 ESV Jesus himself is the only Son of God, and he heard his Father affirm him from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 ESV 

Deep in our hearts, each of us, like Simba, longs to hear the same. Once we know whose we are, loved unconditionally for who we are, we will never be the same again.