*****Spoiler Alert*****
In the most recent episode and finale of Star Wars, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, as a pastor there are so many places worthy of conversation. Subplots worth considering are good versus evil, light versus darkness, saints versus demons, life versus death, pride versus humility, and mercy versus revenge. Thematic elements ranged from forgiveness to hope to humility to sacrifice to salvation. The movie lived up to its billing no doubt.
Here is the line that initially caught my attention – twice – in the movie from Rey. Initially, she said this over and over as she trained to use the force. I thought it was interesting then. However, it was in the final battle scene where it particularly struck me as important.
When all seems lost, defeat seems certain, and everything is going against her, Rey prays to all the deceased Jedi of the past.
Here’s the line: “Be with me!”
And they make their appearance. One by one they speak to her to make their power known to her as she faces Emperor Palpatine – who is also her grandfather – in a battle to the death. If you have watched the previous episodes of Star Wars, then you recognize the familiar voices of the previous Jedi as they speak words of hope to her and solidify their presence with her. They provide her the power she needs to finish and ultimately win the battle.
“Be With Me”
When Rey faced her biggest battle and most trying time in her life, she desired to know that the Jedi and their power were with her. Oh friends, Rey is no different than each one of us.
Let’s leave the world of Star Wars and the ancient Sith planet of Exegol and go to our world.
Rey demonstrates for us what we need every day as well. When in the biggest battle of her life, she needed the presence and power of something bigger than herself. She needed hope from outside herself. She needed what only she could receive supernaturally.
In this sense, Rey is you and Rey is me.
“God With Us”
We are in the midst of the Christmas season now. One of the words we often hear discussed this time of year is a name of God. Initially, Isaiah shared the prediction in the Old Testament (Isa 7:14); however, in the Gospel of Matthew, an angel shares the message with Joseph (Matt 1:23).
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Immanuel – God with us!
Why Is That So Important?
Why is this message so important to us?
God knows we need the same things that Rey needed. We need hope, power, reassurance, community, and something supernatural.
Friends, that is exactly what He gives us.
He gives us His presence, His power, and His hope.
- God says to us that He will never leave us or forsake us! (Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5)
- Jesus says that He will be with us always (Matt 28:20).
- The Holy Spirit never leaves us either (1 Cor 3:16; John 14:16-17; Eph 1:13-14).
- You have the power of Christ in you (Phil 4:13).
- Because of God’s presence, the love of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, we have hope! (Rom 5:1-5)
You Don’t Need the Force, You Have the Godhead!
Relax today.
Whatever you face, wherever you are, no matter what your circumstances are in life right now, God is with you and is for you. The Godhead works on your behalf. You do not need the Jedi of the past or anything other than what you already have!
In Christ, you have everything you need for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).
Today, we do not have to wish that the force will be with you because you have something much bigger, better, more beautiful, more holy, more loving, and more powerful than the force that is with you.
Today, go with the knowledge, power, security, protection, and presence of the Godhead.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
