In-Depth Studies Blog

It seems like I have heard a lot of talk lately about how bad television is for you. The attitude often being that if you have the choice to do anything besides watch TV, then by all means do it. However, like any other of God’s gifts, TV can be greatly profitable if used wisely. So, what is wisely? Some would say that a few channels like the History or the Discovery are somewhat beneficial, but even time dedicated to these should be in strict moderation. But what about the Sci-Fi channel? Can anything of value possibly come from there? It can if it starts with the phrase “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”!

Recently, Star Wars celebrated its 30th anniversary and I have been reflecting much about one of my all-time favorite movies. The advantage of seeing the original “Episode IV” about 500 times is that I can now play this movie pretty well inside my head scene by scene with verbatim dialogue. The more I do, I discover it actually kindling my love for God. I remember a story rich with plot, characters, themes, and symbolism that in some way or another point me to Christ. In this series of blogs, I want travel into the Star Wars movies, and try to unpack those great scenes and lines that make me want to live for God more.

I am hoping that this will be the first blog in a series, so I will probably jump around a lot with reference to the movies. George Lucas started his epic story with “Episode IV” thus I think it’s fitting not to be tied to an order. So, the first scene I want to discuss is found in The Empire Strikes Back. It’s when Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3P0 have been captured by the Empire and Han Solo is sentenced to be frozen in carbonite. At the last moment before Han is lowered down, Princess Leia says, “I love you”. Han’s reply, “I know”, has become a classic movie line. By the way, the screenplay originally stated “I love you too”, but Harrison Ford suggested the change. For years, I really didn’t understand the full impact of his response, but now I’m starting to see the significance.

Before going further, we need to remember how Han and Leia’s relationship evolved. Early on, Han’s attraction to Leia was obvious to everyone. He was determined, patient, and committed to pursuing the one he was falling for despite the fact that she gave back only coldness and insults (“stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerfherder”). However, as the movie progresses, Han starts to win Leia over with his care and devotion, and her hard heart begins to soften.

Accordingly, when the moment comes that Han and Leia might never see each other again, you can’t help but be on the edge of your seat. At the last second, Leia says those words (“I love you”) she never thought she would say. I’m not sure what she expected him to say, but I think that his reply stunned the distressed princess. Nevertheless, I believe this is the perfect line and allow me to give five reasons why it makes me love God more when I watch this scene.

1) Han already “knew” Leia loved him because her prior behavior had proven it to him. This is the same way I want God to respond to me. The first time I see our wonderful gracious Lord in heaven, I hope it is not necessary for me to say “I love you”. What I would rather have happen is for the Lord to say, “Because of your life, I know that you love me”. “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18). This reminds me to not simply say “I love God” or say “I love my wife, or boss or whomever”, but to show that I love them.

2) It was important that Han believed Leia’s love was genuine. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matthew chapter 7:21-23). I’m certain emotions were running high that day in Cloud City. Could it be that Leia was simply overwhelmed with pity for the old scruffy-looking nerfherder? Absolutely not and it meant all the difference in the universe to Han that he knew this was not a princess’ last-minute decision, but that she truly loved him. The passage from the gospel of Matthew is frightening, but is good to remember the importance of proving your love before waiting to the last moment.

3) Han had confirmed his own love for Leia by his prior commitment. So, why didn’t Han tack on the “I love you too”? He didn’t have to. He had already shown Leia that he loved her. I can ask the same sorts of questions about my relationship with God. For example, why do I love God? The simple reason is that he loved me first. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). I don’t need God to do anything more for me even though he kindly would. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32). If God still talked to humans (besides through the bible), I wouldn’t need him to say anything more to me. When he sent his only Son to die on the cross in my place to pay for my sin, he showed me he loved me. That is all I need.

4) Han loved Leia even when she was not lovable. There is no more beautiful love than unconditional love. Just look at the opposite way the world loves. Worldly love is based completely on a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude. So, when we see Han love Leia, even putting his life in peril to save her time and time again, we should think of Christ and how he loved us, even though he knew we would never do anything to deserve him. “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:3-5)

5) Even when Han was about to face possible death, he was still most concerned about Leia. Han stops Chewie from trying to rescue him and tells him to take care of the princess. This is the stuff real heroes are made of and it’s what was demonstrated by Jesus on the day he was crucified. “Jesus said ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'” (Luke 23:34). Jesus goes a gigantic step further than Han Solo and is actually concerned about the welfare of people who are mocking and approving his excruciating death. Nevertheless, this scene still reminds me that I need to be others-centered even if I am in the midst of a terrible trial.

Final thoughts…since this is my first blog, I’m not sure how this will be received. I know that I’ve never thought of the Star Wars movies as being “Christian”. If any religion is used as a template, I see more eastern influences than western. At any rate, even if George Lucas didn’t intend for us to think about loving Christ more by watching his films, it shows that our Lord can use anything to bring himself glory. Thanks for reading.

Bradley Hagan

Category : Author: Bradley Hagan, Culture, Theology Applied