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Earlier this month, the Jr. High held one event “to rule the them all”: Friday Night Live – Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings. At this epic event, we enjoyed Yoda Soda and Eye of Sauron Cookies, played games with light sabers and Legolas’ bow, thought we were in the “Cantina” with our cool Star Wars Band (Pollock), reviewed lots of trivia from the movie, and watched a few exciting scenes from the movies, all in crazy costumes.

As part of the evening, we also looked at some Biblical truth we can clearly see in the movies. First, sin promises to solve all of our problems, but in the end just destroys us.  Just like Adam and Eve were seduced to eat the fruit by the temptation to become like God (Genesis 3:5) which led to our spiritual and physical death, Anakin was drawn to the Dark Side by his lust for power and the promise to save his beloved Padme, but in the end he burns in lava and becomes the more machine than man (Vader).  Similarly, the Ring leaves in its wake a path of deception and destruction, as Smeagol is drawn by the beauty of the Ring and the identity he finds in “my precious”, and Boromir desires the power of the Ring to defend Gondor.  However, in the end, the seduction of the Ring leads to both of their deaths.  We see this same truth in the world around us and in our own lives.  We must be keenly aware that sin is constantly lying to us and promising solutions while really bringing destruction.  The wages of sin is truly death (Romans 6:23).

Second, we looked at how sin corrupts and tempts us all. We read in the Bible, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and clearly see this truth with the Ring.  All characters who come in contact with the Ring are drawn to and seduced by its power.  The whole “Fellowship” starts because they each know that they cannot be trusted with sole possession of the Ring; however, it breaks up because they each know their behaviors are not safe around the Ring.  Even Gandalf turns away in fear when he is offered the Ring because he knows he cannot handle its temptation.  As we look into our own lives, it is clear that sin is something we each face daily and will continue to face until eternity.

Finally, while the first two truths are kind of depressing, we have seen the end of the movies and know that a Savior always comes. When it looks like Vader will blow up Luke’s X-Wing, in comes Han Solo in the Millennial Falcon.  When the Battle of Helm’s Deep seems lost, Gandalf comes in with the Riders of Rohan.  After Obi-wan and Anakin have been defeated by Count Dooku, Yoda pulls out his light saber.  And even though Sam can’t carry the Ring, he can carry Frodo.  In the same way, ^“just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)  Especially as we reflect on Easter, praise be to God for sending His Son, because without Him we would be hopeless.

At the end of the evening, we voted which series was more epic. In a vote even closer than the 2000 Presidential election, Star Wars won by two votes, even after a full recount.  So if you are ever in a debate as to which is better, the decision has been made.

Many thanks to Pollock (Jesse Trask’s Band), Jason VanDorsten, Aaron Reed, Catherine Wilson, Sarah Jarvis, Elizabeth Johnstone, Kelly Hack, Mason Nalle, John Lyver, Denna Zimmerman, and the many others who helped.  Please be in prayer for the six Jr. Highers who indicated decisions for Christ that night.