Central to the Christian faith is belief in sacrificial atonement through the death of Jesus Christ. Christian's believe that Jesus was a sinless hybrid of both God and man, who came to dwell among humanity until he was killed on the cross for claiming to be the son of God. In the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
In The Lion King, Simba finds himself in peril after disobeying his father's rules and wandering into a place he should not have been. Mufasa finds his son in turmoil and sacrifices his own life to save him. Even though Simba brought these dyer struggles upon himself, his father shows him grace, mercy, and love by saving him from perishing, so that he may continue living life.
Christians believe that Jesus' death was an act of grace, mercy, and love, as well. They believe Jesus' sacrifice was/is so great because he died to save humanity from its own mess. Christians believe we wandered too far from our Heavenly Father, to places we ought not go, so God had to step into those places to save us from destruction. Both Jesus and Mufasa sacrifice themselves to save others from their own wrong doings. It is through accepting and believing in this sacrifice that Christian's believe they are atoned for their sins and can be in right relationship with God.
Throughout Christian history, many followers have wrestled with the culmination of shame and gratitude that comes with believing and accepting Jesus' sacrificial atonement. Former slave owner, John Newton, penned the words of the popular hymn, Amazing Grace, which says, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." Newton, like many before and after him, struggled with the dichotomy of accepting God's love for him while also seeing himself as a wretch. Eventually Newman denounced his involvement with the slave trade, but not until many years after his conversion to Christianity. Like Newman, Simba struggles with feelings of guilt, shame, gratitude, sorrow, and duty in the wake of his dad's death, knowing that it was his wrong-doing that caused his father's demise. It is this loss that serves as inspiration for all that Simba eventually accomplishes.
In the book of John, chapter 15, verse 6, it says. "Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends." Sacrifice is a major component of Christianity, and it is a major component of The Lion King story, too.