‘Cinderella’ is our classic ‘rags-to-riches’ story. It talks of a young girl facing immense difficulties in her family life, being unfairly treated as a skivvy because of sibling rivalry and a stepmother’s jealousy. It talks of the providence of a benevolent fairy godmother whose power (magic) transforms this injustice for a night, paving the way to an encounter with a prince whose heart is captivated by the beauty and grace of this young woman and who determines to find her when she disappears on the stroke of midnight. It talks of his search for her and their ultimate joy in reunion and has the classic fairytale ending of a wedding where both live happily ever after in riches and splendour.
Such stories exist because at hear we all long for love, for justice and for security. They exist also because we recognise without external intervention (in this case, in the form of the fairy godmother), there is no way to change our miserable existence into something beautiful. In the pantomime version of ‘Cinderella’, the character Buttons acts as a confidant and friend to Cinderella in her awkward poverty; in the story, there is no such aide. Cinderalla is lost, alone, and in need of salvation.
No matter how many friends we have and how loving a family, this remains the position of all people without Jesus Christ. We are lost, alone, and in need of salvation. (Eph 2:1-2) The good news is that there is a benevolent God whose power and majesty don’t just work for one evening!
God sent His Son to be our ‘Prince Charming’, but also to be our Rescuer. Jesus put on human flesh. He did not come in the splendour of the majesty of God, even though this was rightly His, to woo us with riches. Instead, He came in poverty, seeking our untainted and unfettered love. Only after we freely respond to HIs generous love and unconditional acceptance did we discover we’re marrying royalty!
The Bible says, ‘for you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that we through his poverty might become rich.’ (2 Cor 8:9)
We teach fairytales to our children because deep-down, we long to believe in the triumph of good over evil and love conquering all. Yet we live in reach of the greatest love story ever and so often refuse to believe. It seems too good to be true.
‘Cinderella’ reminds us we are called to be a beautiful bride. This is the church’s ultimate destiny.