The movie Solo shows enough of our favorite scoundrel’s background to understand better Han’s lack of belief in the Force and his reliance on a blaster.
After seeing the limited amount of Luke’s lightsaber training, Han scoffs, “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”
His contempt for the Force and Luke is evident, and he needlessly puts them down.
While Obi-Wan tries to come to Luke’s defense, you can still see how hurt Luke is.
Luke attempts to rebut Han by asking, “You don’t believe in the Force, do you?”
Whether it was because of Luke’s age or his lack of faith in the Force, Han then tries to explain his answer away.
Whether we are young in the faith or young in years, we can handle people’s disbelief and putdowns when we take what Paul taught Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12. Paul told him, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
Timothy was a young man and had been Paul’s disciple, much like Luke was Obi-Wan’s.
Just as Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example, Luke was an example to Han.
Throughout the Original Trilogy, Han looked down on Luke. It was not until 30 years had passed that we see Han change his view about Luke and the Force.
It might not take that long to influence others, but it might, and we need to be ready to be an example for an extended period of time before someone comes to accept what we are living out.
