AUTHOR: Brandon Zoll
QUOTE: “Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.”
—Yoda
READ: Mark 5:1-15
REFLECT: I love Star Wars because Star Wars tells a story of redemption time and time again. Star Wars tells the story of what was once evil becoming good again. In fact, when we look to the original trilogy, episodes IV through VI, we see this as the main plot. It is a story of redemption. In fact, I have argued with many that the title of Episode VI, “Return of the Jedi” has nothing to do with Luke Skywalker becoming a Jedi Knight. Rather, it has everything to do with the new life, the second chance, the new birth of Anikin Skywalker. The whole trilogy points to this moment in the death of Darth Vader and the rebirth of Anikin Skywalker.
Redemption is a funny thing because most, by and large, don’t believe in it. We talk about it and we desire it, but in most cases, we don’t believe it can actually take place. Especially in others who we consider to be too far gone. Is there such a thing of being too far gone? In the Star Wars Universe, there was this belief. Jedi believed once you fell to the dark side there was no redemption for that individual. I believe this belief comes from our culture’s popular belief that people don’t change, which makes us ask do people change?
Time and time again in the Bible we see stories of life change; drastic dramatic life change. In fact, our text from Mark 5:1-15 tells us a story of dramatic change. This man possessed by the legion of demons, which would be three to six thousand demons, was pushed away, was treated like trash, and was left for dead among the tombs. This was done by his community, his friends, and his very own family. They cast him out. They consider him unredeemable. They consider him too far gone. Once again, because people don’t change. In fact, in ourselves, we lack the power to change. This man lacked the power to fight the legion of demons he was facing by himself.
Just like Anikin Skywalker was unable to put to death Darth Vader and raise again in the newness of life in the Force as Anikin Skywalker; by himself, he couldn’t change. However, through the risks, persistence, and love of his son Luke Skywalker, Anikin Skywalker is able to emerge to a new life.
Now we could argue this is science fiction. It is a story; it isn’t real. We in our own strength can not change or find redemption, but here is the good news. Jesus has come, and Jesus can and does change people.
We see this in the story of the demon-possessed man. Once again, someone who was cast out and deemed unredeemable.
How does Jesus treat him as he comes running and screaming from the tombs? When I read this story I see Jesus’ disciples running to get back on the boat and getaway. Then I see Jesus take a step towards the man and show mercy, grace, and compassion to Him because Jesus touches those who society deems untouchable, Jesus helps those who society claims to be helpless, and Jesus redeems those who society says are unredeemable.
There is no such thing as too far gone with Jesus. You are never too far gone for Jesus to reach out and redeem you because He loves you, He loves you, He loves you because that is who He is.
Yes, people do not change by themselves, but Jesus can and does change people. In this, people are never too far gone. You are never too far gone. Our sin, gone. Our shortcomings, gone. Our failures, all gone in Christ. He doesn’t look to our past, present, or future state, but takes us as we are right here right now and allows us to become new again. To have a new beginning. To have a new life and a fresh start. He takes us and redeems us before God. In fact, it is said in Galatians 3:13, “‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’—” (NSRV) Jesus, becomes sin, who knew no sin, so that we may live again. He dies and is raised and promises the same resurrection to all who would trust and put their faith in Him.
Redemption is possible, which is why the original and even most recent trilogy will always have a special place in my heart because I see the work of Christ in the characters who have fallen into darkness, but come to see the undeniable light and are redeemed because darkness cannot hide nor can overcome the light.
As much as this redemption is possible for us. It is also possible for those in our life that others consider too far gone. It is possible for those who others say cannot change. God is in the business of changing us. God is in the business of redemption, and business is good.
KEY SCRIPTURE: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NRSV)
REFLECTION QUESTION:
- Have you ever struggled with the idea of life change in yourself or in others? Have you ever looked to yourself or another thinking, “I’m or they are too far gone.”?
- Is there something in your life of faith you are struggling to change? Some addiction of the past ed-italia.com? A sin you seem to be unable to shake? What is one thing you can begin to do to allow Jesus to bring this change to your life?
- Is there someone in your life that everyone around you considers too far gone and to have no worth? What is one thing you can begin to do to reach out and touch this individual and to show them they have worth?
