Star Wars,  Tim Redfield

Temptation, Fall, and Salvation

“Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis The Wise? I thought not. It’s not a story the Jedi would tell you. It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create life…

He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying. The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.

He became so powerful… the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew; then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Ironic. He could save others from death, but not himself.”

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That was the story that the Emperor told to Anakin. It leaves you with curiosity about who this Darth Plagueis was. Why have we never heard of this Dark Lord before? Who was his apprentice? Did he ever use the midichlorians to create life?

Regardless of the questions, the purpose of the story works. The Emperor uses that account to tempt Anakin. He knows that Anakin wants to save Padme from death. And the temptation works. Anakin thought that the dark side could save his wife from death. Anakin eventually fell from the light to the dark.

Anakin by Byzwa-Dher

People fall for the devil’s temptations.

This temptation is similar to temptations that the devil uses in our world. At times he will offer us the idea that if we follow his lead, we can have the power to accomplish everything our hearts desire.

It was what he used to tempt Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He told them that if they ate the forbidden fruit, then they could be like God. He told them that they would not die if they ate the fruit. Think about that temptation. They could still live, and they would be like God. Think about the power. But it was not true. Sin would lead to death. They would not be like God. They ate and they fell.

Many years later, the devil tried a similar temptation on Jesus. He took him up on a high mountain and showed him the kingdoms of the world. He said, “I will give you all of these things, if you will bow down and worship me.” The temptation as real. The temptation was that Jesus would have power over all, and he could have life. He wouldn’t have to die for the sins of the world. He could just rule over all things now.

But Jesus did what was necessary to be our Savior. He resisted the temptation. He saw through the devil’s lies. He knew that this was not the way. He knew that he had to live perfectly and then die on the cross. He knew that the devil didn’t truly have the authority to give out that power. Jesus knew that it was only proper to serve and worship God.

Jesus resisted and won our salvation.

The devil still tempts people with power and the illusion that he can give us everything our hearts desire. He can’t truly do that. But people fall for his lies every day. People think that they can be happy by following down a sinful path. There might be some momentary happiness. There might be the idea that they will be blessed. But the reality is that following sin always leads to problems. Eventually, following sin will lead to hell.

Resist temptation, and follow Christ. Look to the one who has won salvation for you. In Christ, we can have the most important desire of our heart. We can have eternal blessings because of our Savior.

I am a Lutheran pastor who is currently serving at Trinity in Belle Plaine, MN. My wife is Megan and my daughter is Elizabeth "Libby". I have two dogs (Labradors) - Samson and Charlie. In my spare time, I train for and run in marathons, I cheer for the Green Bay Packers, and I love the Comic Book genre of entertainment.

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