Untitled Sermon

MPT: Moses wanted Israel to know that God cherishes human life and desires everyone to live in response to that same value.

MPS:

INTRODUCTION

Today is May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. When most people think of Star Wars, I’m sure the first character that comes to mind is Darth Vader. But, did you know that Darth Vader’s real name, is Anakin Skywalker, the father of Luke Skywalker. Now, I was not born yet when the original Star Wars films were released, but, I was in high school when the three prequel films were. I know there are mixed feelings about these films, but I’ve always loved them because I feel like they are mine. They came out at a peak time for me, so they hold a special place in my heart. In the prequel films, we see the origin story of Anakin Skywalker and his transition to becoming Darth Vader. It’s an interesting story. When we are first introduced to Anakin in the Phantom Menace, he is a young boy living with his mother as slaves. He meets a Jedi Master name Qui Gon Gin, who sets up a pod race for young Anakin to enter in for a chance to win his freedom. Anakin wins, and Qui Gon Gin senses that the force is strong with Anakin, and not only that, but the chosen one to restore balance to the force. So Qui Gon takes Anakin as a padawan, but later in the film, Qui Gon Gin is killed by a Sith Lord named Darth Maul. This death starts a dark path for Anakin. In the next film, The Attack of the Clones, Anakin is much older and is a Jedi Apprentice under the teaching of Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi. In this film Anakin is very confident in himself and his abilities, and starts to challenge the way of the Jedi. His arrogance gets the better of him when his desires do not align with the way a Jedi is supposed to be, and starts to become anger with the Jedi. Later in the film, Anakin’s mom dies, and out of response to that death, out of anger he killed an entire village of people, including women and children as revenge. In the third film, Revenge of the Sith, Anakin is a Jedi Knight, and we see Obi Wan Kenobi attempting to teach Anakin the proper way of the Jedi, which is to put aside your own desires for the greater good Chancellor Palpatine, who is a bad guy pretending to be a good guy, teaches Anakin to look out for himself and to follow his desires. Anakin’s biggest desire is his love for Queen Padme, but the Jedi are not allowed to marry or have romantic relationships. As Anakin’s desire for Padme grows, he becomes more rebellious towards the Jedi. Anakin and Padme marry in secret, and she becomes pregnant. This pregnancy would expose their relationship and would disqualify Anakin from becoming a Jedi Master. Anakin has a vision that Padme will die in childbirth, so Chancellor Palpatine convinces Anakin that if he pursues the dark side, he will possess the power to save Padme, and having ultimate control is something Anakin deeply wants. So now that Anakin’s dreams of becoming a Jedi are squashed, he wants to rid the galaxy of all Jedi, and goes on a murderous rampage. Then Anakin convinces himself that Obi Wan Kenobi, the man who has been a father figure to Anakin, is trying to steal Padme away from him, so Anakin attacks Obi Wan. But because Anakin is operating out of hate and anger, Obi Wan is able to defeat Anakin, and all of his limbs are cut off. Obi Wan, thinking Anakin was dead walks away, but before Anakin dies, Chancellor Palpatine finds him, and essential turns Anakin into a machine, and he now becomes Darth Vader, who’s goal is to control the entire galaxy, no matter the cost of life it may cause. Because Anakin Skywalker does not value life, only himself.

I think in some way or another, we can all relate to Anakin. We have desires that are contrary to what Scripture says, and we often find ourselves rebelling against God’s Word because of what we want. How many times have you wished ill on someone who wronged you instead of praying for them? How many times have you gotten back at someone much harder than their transgression towards you? In Exodus 21-23, we see God giving instructions to the Israelites about how they are supposed to live in response the the 10 commandments. God wanted Israel to know the He cherishes human life, and desires everyone to live in response to that same value.