May the 4th
Saturday is an informal holiday among those of us who follow the nerdier pursuits. If you popped into social media, I am sure at least someone you know posted “May the 4th be with you.” There is even a faction that pushes for the “Revenge of the 5th”. If you feel out of the loop, they are Star Wars references. Movies, books, cartoons, video games, role playing games, card games, action figures, cook books, and even a 16 Foot Inflatable Christmas Darth Vader. It’s a franchise that has deeply impacted our culture. So, I think it be appropriate to add to the list a Star Wars Bible study. Why, because this Pastor is a nerd.
As I thought about Star Wars I realized there really is one overarching theme. We are all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Think about it. Every character has a role to play.
Luke Skywalker is the last Jedi.
Princess Leia leads the rebellion.
Obi-Wan sacrifices himself to be one with the force, and provide guidance beyond the grave.
Han Solo and Lando Calrissian set aside their individualism and become generals in the rebellion.
In the sequels, everyone carefully watched Ray, trying to see where she fits in to the bigger picture.
Even the humble droid R2-D2 carries the plans needed to defeat the Death Star. No small role, despite his small stature.
Every person is a part of something bigger than themselves, and this is not an accident. God gave each of us a set of gifts and talents. Beyond that He calls us to be a part of the Body of Christ. He wants us to be an active part of the church, just as each part of the body needs to be active for the body to be healthy. Paul writes about that in 1st Corinthians 12:12-27 (ESV)
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Each person has a role. This role is far greater than some galactic rebellion. In fact, there is no rebellion; Christ has already overthrown the dark side. Jesus: whose very name causes every knee to bow and every tongue to confess (Philippines 2:10). There is no greater honor. And as Paul said; if one member of the Body is honored the whole Body rejoices. As Christ is risen; so shall you be. As Christ is glorified, so shall you be. You are a part of something bigger.
You are Children of the Light,
May the 4th be with you, for God is.
-Pastor Dan