St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Lead Anakin not into temptation

O Lord, I need you

O Lord, I need you,
I need your hand upon my life
when I am tempted to follow
in the dark side, the strife;
I need your plan, Lord,
which you ordained for me to walk,
your rule is power, glory, Lord,
and victory, and not just talk.

O Lord, I need you,
I need to know I am your own
when all around me would make me
just like others, a clone;
but you have called me
and set me on a pathway true -
O Lord, direct me, be in me
that I may always be in you.

O Lord, I need you,
I need your force to make me strong
so I can stand and defend myself,
choose right, turn from wrong;
Give me your light, Lord,
your force, O Jesus, your strong arm,
that I can fight all pow'rs of darkness,
and be safe and kept from harm.

At the centre of the new Episode 3 of the "Star Wars" series is a big question. How could Anakin Skywalker, a clever talented boy with a desire for right, possibly become the evil Darth Vadar? What entry did temptation and evil find into him?

The film poses several answers. Anakin was insecure in his destiny: his friends the Jedi knights were unwilling to trust him too much too soon, and he was plagued with self-doubt. He needed to exercise confidence that he would grow into the person he believed he could become. In Christian terms, he needed faith in God's calling of him.

Anakin spent his time as a Jedi fighting evil clones. (Actually the clones weren't originally evil, but they were collectively led astray.) Standing up for good is a lonely business, and Anakin eventually fell victim to isolation. In Christian terms, he needed the "fellowship of the Holy Spirit".

And Anakin wasn't convinced that good overcomes evil. He suspected the "Dark Side of the Force" might be stronger. In Christian terms, he needed reassurance of Jesus' victory over Satan.

The particular dilemma about Padme was Anakin's problem alone. But in a way, the whole film is an extended meditation on "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" - said by someone more famous than George Lucas!

Here's a song to say to God that I too have temptations and weaknesses, and I risk going as Anakin went. The tune (on our web site) is inspired by music from another of the "Star Wars" films. Is God's force - Jesus - keeping you safe?

John Hartley