Episode VII: Breakfast at Jesus'

Good morning, Church.

This Sunday you are getting two sermons in one.
Hence the two movie titles.
You can think of the scripture message as part 1.
Today we find ourselves at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, in a moment
that is both deeply human and divinely powerful.

It’s a quiet, almost tender scene: a few disciples have returned to what
they know—fishing—perhaps unsure of what to do in the wake of Jesus'
resurrection.
And then, in typical Jesus fashion, He shows up.
Not with fireworks, not in a temple, but on the shoreline, cooking
breakfast.
This passage is about restoration.
It’s about grace.
But it’s also about calling.
Jesus meets us in our failures, feeds us in our weariness, and sends us
back out with a renewed mission.
The disciples went fishing—not in rebellion, but perhaps in confusion.
Life after the resurrection hadn’t fully made sense yet.
So they did what was familiar.
But even in their ordinary, Jesus meets them.

"Children, do you have any fish?" (v. 5)
They had none.
Their nets were empty.
And that’s when Jesus tells them to cast the net on the other side—and
they pull in a miraculous catch.
How often are we fishing with empty nets?
We strive, we labor, we return to old patterns—but nothing fills us.
And then, Jesus invites us to trust Him again.
A small act of obedience leads to abundance.
When John realizes it's Jesus, Peter jumps into the water.
The same Peter who had denied Jesus three times.
His shame could’ve kept him in the boat, but his love for Jesus drove
him to shore.
What does Jesus do?
He cooks breakfast.
Isn’t that amazing?
The risen King cooks for His friends.
No judgment.
No rebuke.
Just hospitality.

Grace.
This is how restoration begins—not with correction, but with
communion.
Now Jesus turns to Peter.
Three times He asks: “Do you love me?”
Three denials the first time.
Three affirmations the next time.
Three commissions: “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.”
Jesus isn’t trying to shame Peter.
He’s restoring him.
He’s taking Peter’s past failure and rewriting it into his future calling.
Church, Jesus doesn’t disqualify us because of our failures.
He transforms them into testimonies.
And He sends us out—not perfect, but forgiven and empowered.
Jesus ends this moment with a simple but weighty command: “Follow
me.”
He tells Peter that following Him will cost everything—even his life.
But Peter, now restored, is ready.
He’s not the same man who denied Jesus.
He’s a shepherd-in-training, learning to lay down his life for the flock.

We’re called to the same path.
Not to comfort, but to commitment.
Not to popularity, but to purpose.
So where are you in this story?
● Are you fishing in frustration, feeling distant or unsure?
● Are you carrying the weight of failure or shame, like Peter?
● Or are you hearing the question: “Do you love me?”—and sensing
that God is calling you back, not only to Him, but to your purpose?
Wherever you are, Jesus is on the shore.
He’s calling you by name.
He’s ready to feed you, restore you, and send you out again.
Let us respond like Peter—not with perfect words, but with willing
hearts.
Amen.
Now for part 2.
Today is May 4th.
It is frequently said particularly by fans of the Star Wars Universe, may
the fourth be with you as a play on may the force be with you.

So today I want to take some time to compare the Star Wars Universe to
the Roman Empire, Christianity, and finally compare Star Wars to the
US.
The Star Wars Galactic Empire shares several key similarities with the
Roman Empire, both thematically and structurally.
George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars Universe intentionally drew
inspiration from historical empires like Rome to craft the political and
cultural backdrop of Star Wars.
So let's talk about the parallels:

1. From Republic to Empire
● Roman Empire: The Roman Republic fell after internal
corruption, civil war, and the rise of figures like Julius Caesar and
Augustus. Augustus became the first emperor, maintaining a
façade of republican values while holding absolute power.
● Galactic Empire: The Galactic Republic collapses due to
corruption and war (the Clone Wars). Chancellor Palpatine
manipulates events to become Emperor, dissolving the Republic
under the guise of security and order.
Parallel: In both cases, democratic institutions are gradually
dismantled in favor of centralized, authoritarian rule.

2. Centralized Autocracy & Cult of Personality
● Roman Emperors (like Augustus or Nero) had near-absolute
power, with the Senate becoming largely symbolic.
● Emperor Palpatine rules with unchecked authority, using fear and
propaganda. The Senate exists but is later dissolved.
Parallel: The emperor becomes a near-divine figure, central to
power, with others merely executing his will.

3. Military Domination
● Rome: Military conquest and expansion were core to its survival
and power. Generals often held political sway (e.g., Caesar).
● Empire: The Imperial military enforces control through fear and
technological superiority (like the Death Star).
Parallel: Both empires rely on overwhelming military force to
expand and maintain control.

4. Suppression of Dissent
● Rome: Crushed rebellions (e.g., Spartacus, Jewish revolts) and
used fear, crucifixions, and public spectacles to enforce loyalty.
● Empire: Crushes planetary rebellions (e.g., Alderaan’s
destruction), uses the Death Star and fear of annihilation to deter
opposition.
Parallel: Both empires used terror and punishment as political
tools to maintain dominance.

5. Bureaucracy & Infrastructure
● Rome: Maintained roads, tax systems, and provincial governors to
control its vast territories.
● Empire: Uses governors (like Tarkin), sector moffs, and
hyperspace lanes to govern the galaxy efficiently.
Parallel: A complex bureaucracy manages vast, diverse
populations across large territories.

6. Cultural Unity and Diversity
● Rome: Absorbed various cultures but imposed Latin, Roman law,
and customs to unify the empire.
● Empire: Suppresses alien cultures and promotes human supremacy
(in some interpretations), but also uses elements of other systems
when useful.
Parallel: Cultural assimilation is used to strengthen imperial
identity, though it can also fuel resistance.

7. Rebellion & Decline
● Rome: Faced growing unrest, overexpansion, and internal decay,
leading to its eventual fall.
● Empire: Faces organized rebellion (the Rebel Alliance) due to its
oppressive rule, ultimately leading to its collapse.
Parallel: Tyranny breeds resistance, and internal weaknesses
contribute to downfall.

Star Wars shares many thematic and symbolic parallels with
Christianity, though it's not a direct allegory. George Lucas drew from a
wide range of mythologies and religious traditions—including Christian
elements—to craft a story about good versus evil, redemption, and faith.

Here's how Star Wars echoes key Christian themes:
1. The Chosen One & Messianic Figure
● Anakin Skywalker is presented as a "Chosen One" born of a
virgin (his mother claims there was no father), echoing the virgin
birth of Jesus.
● Like Jesus, Anakin is prophesied to bring balance—but initially
strays, only to fulfill the prophecy in the end (by destroying the
Emperor).
Parallel: A foretold savior figure who ultimately redeems the
world through self-sacrifice.

2. Fall and Redemption
● Anakin/Darth Vader's arc closely mirrors the Christian narrative
of fall and redemption:
○ He falls through pride and temptation (akin to the Fall of
Man).
○ He is ultimately redeemed through love and self-sacrifice,
much like the idea of grace and forgiveness in Christian
theology.
Parallel: No one is beyond saving; redemption is possible
through love, repentance, and sacrifice.

3. The Force as a Spiritual Metaphor
● The Force acts like a divine presence, guiding and empowering the
faithful.
● Jedi are like monks or spiritual warriors who live by a code similar
to Christian virtues: discipline, humility, compassion, and
selflessness.
● The Dark Side represents temptation, anger, and pride—echoing
sin.
Parallel: A mystical, moral force governs the universe,
echoing the presence of God and the battle between good and
evil in the human soul.

4. Sacrifice and Resurrection
● Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in A New Hope, but continues to guide
Luke spiritually—similar to how Jesus dies and is spiritually
present after resurrection.
● Luke risks everything in Return of the Jedi to save his father,
offering forgiveness over vengeance—another echo of Christian
themes of mercy.
Parallel: Sacrificial death leading to a higher purpose, and the
belief that death is not the end.

5. Temptation and Moral Choice
● The battle between the Light and Dark sides of the Force reflects
Christian moral teaching about free will and resisting temptation.
● Characters like Anakin and Luke face choices that echo biblical
struggles (e.g., Jesus in the wilderness, resisting Satan).
Parallel: Choosing righteousness over power, and love over
fear.

6. Luke as a Christ-like Figure
● Luke’s journey involves self-denial, confronting evil, offering
forgiveness, and refusing to kill his enemy out of hatred.
● His climactic act is not violent victory but mercy, even at the risk
of death.
Parallel: Christ-like compassion and refusal to return evil for
evil.

Star Wars reflects aspects of the United States of America in several
significant ways—both historically and politically. George Lucas
deliberately infused the saga with commentary on U.S. politics, war, and
society, especially during the Vietnam War and post-9/11 eras. Here's
how Star Wars parallels the U.S.:

1. A Republic Turning into an Empire
● The Galactic Republic, once a democratic body, descends into
authoritarianism under the pretense of security during a crisis.
● Palpatine uses war and fear to consolidate power, much like
concerns about presidential overreach or "emergency powers" in
the U.S. during times of war or national crisis.
Parallel: The fragility of democracy and how fear can erode
civil liberties—echoing U.S. debates about executive power,
especially during wartime.

2. The Military-Industrial Complex
● The Galactic Empire is defined by its massive military buildup
(Death Star, Star Destroyers, clone/stormtroopers).
● Lucas was critical of the U.S. military-industrial complex,
echoing President Eisenhower’s warning that excessive military
spending and global policing could corrupt democracy.
Parallel: A republic becoming a war machine, driven by
endless conflict and profit—mirroring critiques of U.S. foreign
policy.

3. The Rebellion as American Revolutionaries
● The Rebel Alliance mirrors American revolutionaries fighting a
tyrannical empire.
● They're decentralized, idealistic, and fighting for freedom against
overwhelming odds—much like the colonies against Britain.
Parallel: Rebellion against oppression—echoing the U.S.’s
founding ideals of liberty and self-governance.

4. Cultural Hegemony & Soft Power
● The Empire imposes conformity (often human-centric, anti-alien),
while the Republic and Rebels embrace diversity and local
governance.
● This reflects critiques of U.S. cultural dominance and
globalization—where American ideals are promoted (or imposed)
globally.
Parallel: A global superpower shaping the culture and politics
of others—sometimes benevolently, sometimes oppressively.

5. Patriotism vs. Dissent
● Characters like Padmé and Bail Organa are patriotic and critical of
government overreach.
● Lucas noted how dissent in the U.S.—especially during the Iraq
War—was sometimes branded as unpatriotic.
Parallel: Star Wars explores how questioning power is a vital
part of a healthy democracy, just as free speech and protest are
foundational in America.

6. Senate Dysfunction and Political Gridlock
● The Galactic Senate is depicted as ineffective and easily
manipulated, leading to its collapse.
● Lucas based this in part on his disillusionment with U.S. politics,
especially after the Vietnam War and Watergate.
Parallel: Political corruption and gridlock weaken democratic
institutions, leading to authoritarian solutions.

7. Cycle of Power and Resistance
● The saga shows a cycle: Republic → Empire → Rebellion → New
Republic.
● This mirrors cycles in U.S. history: expansionism, civil war, global
dominance, internal division, and calls for reform.
Parallel: Democracy is fragile, and freedom requires
vigilance—a key theme in American political thought.

In looking at the parallels between the US and Star Wars there
is some writing on the walls that we need to be wary of.
We need to hold strong to our faith in God over government.
We need to be vigilant in avoiding becoming more like the
Galactic Empire and stay on the side of Christ and the
oppressed because that is where Christ was and calls us to be.

Amen.