Good Triumphs Over Evil

The Star Wars trilogy is one of my all-time favorite movie experiences. I'm a huge science fiction geek, and there is no greater story in my mind than the one imagined by George Lucas. But oddly enough, I don't watch it all that much. And even when I do watch it, I'm usually distracted or I don't pay that much attention to what is going on. I mean, I already know what is going to happen. I know who is going to live and who is going to get blasted. I can actually tell you when to look for the storm trooper who bumps his head on the door.

But tonight was different. It was like watching the movies again for the first time. I had already watched the first movie with one of my friends and it was her first time. That made it pretty exciting for me, and I think she actually liked it. But then I had the next two movies to watch by myself. I had started "The Empire Strikes Back" a couple of days ago, and I remember I wasn't paying much attention to it then. It was a very different story this evening.

I was watching so closely I amazed myself. Suddenly I forgot that Darth Vader was waiting in the conference room on the cloud city of Bespin. I stared in amazement as Yoda lifted the X-wing out of the swamp. I dodged and twisted on the couch as Vader and Luke dueled with their lightsabres, and for the first time actually saw the astonishment and pain in Luke's face as that immortal line was spoken, "Luke, I am your father."

By the time I got to "The Return of the Jedi," I was chomping at the bit for some rebel revenge. I won't retell the story here, you should go watch it yourself!! Anyway, as I got to the end, I was really appreciating the special effects added by Mr. Lucas. At the very end where the show the celebrations all over the universe; on Tatooine, Bespin, Coruscant...I know it wasn't in the original movie, but it was awesome. And I actually liked that they put in the 20-something actor who plays Anakin in the newest movies. No one recognized the other actor, anyway. To be perfectly honest, I was a little teary eyed at the end.

I have just finished watching "The Return of the Jedi" and now I remember why the Star Wars saga has always been one of my favorites. The story is epic, the characters are personifications of qualities we all have to a greater or lesser degree, and in the end, good conquers evil. The love of a father for his children returns freedom to the world. Now, I'm sure that George Lucas was no C.S Lewis; Stars Wars was not meant to be a metaphor for the life of Christ. But, amazingly, for the first time after having watched it, I can see the parallels. Another case of art imitating life.

JHN 3:17
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

I know many people will think it's a bit of a stretch, but I think it's a good thing if I can find God's message in every place that I see.

-Matt