A Life Redeemed

I am a huge Star Wars fans. From the time the first movie came out when I was a kid, I was hooked. So it was a special treat last Friday when I got to attend "Star Wars in Concert" courtesy of some appreciative folks in the church. The main scenes of the six movies, arranged thematically, were projected on a massive LED screen while the John Williams score was played by a full orchestra and choir. And C3PO narrated the whole thing! Ok, it was Anthony Daniels, who played C3PO, but it was his voice and mannerisms, so close enough.

Now I know that not everyone likes Star Wars. In fact, it sort of has a reputation for appealing to the geekish among us. Those who dress up like the characters, and wait in long lines in the middle of the night so that they are the first to see the new movie when it comes out. {In the interest of full disclosure, I did see the last movie the day it came out. But a friend (who shall remain nameless to protect his dignity) and I waited until the late afternoon and were not dressed up. We did, however, have to wait in a bit of a line.} And when we arrived at the concert, I was reminded why. Walking toward the arena, I notice a group of 3 dressed as Jedi, complete with toy light sabers, over here. And another in a long black Sith cloak over there. I saw lots of Princess Leia buns on the sides of ladies' heads. And a few Amidala get ups as well. And one guy who absolutely nailed Darth Maul so much so that people were stopping him to take his picture. So I turned to Denise, who is much the opposite of geekish and was dressed quite fashionably for an evening in Miami, and told her, "I think you are overdressed!"

Perhaps one reason the movies have such a following is the powerful story that arcs across all six. In fact, the last segment of the concert highlighted the climax of the story and was titled "A Life Redeemed." Darth Vader, of the iconic black mask and heavy breathing, is confronted with a choice. His mentor, the evil Emporer Palpatine, is torturing his son, Luke. With Luke suffering and calling to his father, Vader is moved by love for his son to turn against the Emporer. He grabs Palpatine and throws him over a ledge to his death. In the process, Vader himself is mortally wounded and soon dies, but not without a last moment of reunion with his son.

A familiar theme, isn't it? One giving his life for another. It shows up in lots of stories, both in print and on film. And I think it resonates so much with us because it goes back to the greatest sacrifice ever made. Each time, it reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The One who was so moved by love that He died in a most terrible way that we might live. Now that makes a great story!