Mind What You Have Learned. Help You It Can!

We had amazing time at The Decoder Ring as we celebrated the 30th anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, the best of the STAR WARS films. We returned to that galaxy far, far away and met up with new characters, familiar foes, and a heap of trouble for the rebel heroes. Issues of faith, destiny, paternity, integrity and perseverance are front and center in this character-driven, emotional second act of the original trilogy.

What makes EMPIRE, and for that matter, the STAR WARS saga, such a cultural phenomenon more than 30 years after the release of the original film? Lucas' vision of The Force, Yoda's wisdom, Luke and Vader's destinies... they play out like an epic tale akin to Roman and Greek legends. These aren't just movies. They have impacted the world in such a way they are a canon of cultural scripture.
There is so much we could investigate about THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, but we needed to narrow our focus to the big idea surrounding the nature of The Force. Is it like God? Or is it some impersonal, mystical thing that distracts us from knowing the true attributes of the LORD? We went line by line through Yoda's dialogue, comparing and contrasting this fictional energy field...

YODA
Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force.
But beware. Anger, fear, aggression.
The dark side are they.

... with what the Bible has to say. And the results are illuminating:

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1 JOHN 1:5

God has no Dark Side! Such a marked difference. But does Jedi training have anything in common with biblical teachings? Later in the film, Yoda tells Luke,

YODA
You must unlearn what you have learned.

Gee, that sounds familiar...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
ROMANS 12:2a

But the Bible adds a great reward in the second part of that verse:

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
ROMANS 12:2b

Then comes the most poignant scene in the film, with words that have resonated for over 30 years:

The entire X-wing moves majestically, surely, toward the shore. Yoda stands on a tree root and guides the fighter carefully down toward the beach. Luke stares in astonishment as the fighter settles down onto the shore. He walks toward Yoda.

LUKE
I don't...I don't believe it.

YODA
That is why you fail.

Why is this statement so powerful? Because it cuts to the core of every single one of us. Jesus himself addressed this most personal of struggles in a person's heart:

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

"From childhood," he answered.
"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.

"If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

" 'If you can'?" said Jesus.
"Everything is possible for him who believes."

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed,
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

MARK 9:20-24

We all have a choice to make. A choice to take God at his own Word, or to fail in our unbelief. Jesus is ready to give life to your dead spirit and give you the gift of faith, if only you ask Him to. He is not some impersonal Force, some spiritual energy to be manipulated. God is a personal, just, holy, loving, and merciful God, with an eternity of grace at His disposal. To know him, to "train" (study) in His Word, and to live a life in the Spirit is the greatest adventure you can ever experience this side of heaven. Won't you come to Him and receive it?

At the end of our time we prayed for the filmmakers, cast and crew. For George Lucas and his children. For Harrison, Mark and Carrie. For the visual effects wizards and sound technicians. For director Irvin Kershner, who at the time of this writing is battling cancer. For all the wonderful, talented and creative people behind one of the greatest films ever made. That God would enter into their lives and redeem their talents, all to bring Him even more glory. Amen!

Thank you all for coming. See you next time at The Decoder Ring!