In one of the most iconic scenes in film, we are introduced to Princess Leia.
When Luke is cleaning R2D2, we see part of the holographic image she recorded while her ship was under attack by the Empire. This begins Luke on his Hero’s Journey.
When we finally see the full message at Obi-Wan’s house, we see Princess Leia’s faith expressed.
Princess Leia had no firsthand knowledge of what General Kenobi had done. She was acting on faith or at least a strong belief.
āGeneral Kenobi. Years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars.ā She relied on her fatherās stories and recollections of what General Kenobi had done.
In Deuteronomy 6:7 we are told: āYou [parents] shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.ā
What was it that parents were to teach their children? Deuteronomy 6:4-5 tells us āHear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.ā
It is the parentsā responsibility to train up their children in the Lord. It is not the church, the pastor, the youth leader, the schools, or anyone else.
Princess Leia risked her life and the fate of the Rebellion based on what her father asked her to do and what he had told her about General Kenobi.
We need to instill that kind of faith into our children. If you arenāt a parent, maybe you are an aunt or uncle (by blood or by close proximity). Help the parents of children in your life train up their children.
When we teach the next generation about God, we need to share what He has done in our lives and in the lives of those documented in Scripture.
Remember, God has no grandchildren, only children.
The next generation needs us to share the faith with them.
Another great post! I have to admit that I’d never thought of this scene in this way!
I’m excited because my oldest friend is coming up to visit from Florida. I haven’t seen him in years so I’m looking forward to seeing him in person. I lost another good friend last year to cancer and I didn’t visit with him right away, so I won’t make that mistake again. Although we were both raised Catholic, I’m not sure where he stands with relation to Christ, so I plan to give him a copy of The Action Bible for him to read and as an opening to have a deeper conversation about Christ. I will not fear to talk with my friend about the one truly important thing in life- Jesus Christ- when we’ve spent so much time talking about things that don’t matter. My friend is a big fan of Star Trek and Star Wars, so I plan to share the devotional with him when it comes out! I’m planning on getting at least ten copies!
Thanks for the kind words, Steve.
It’s interesting that you and I were both brought up Catholic, like both Star Trek and Star Wars.
I agree, we need not fear sharing Jesus Christ with our friends (or with anyone else for that matter).