I was praying and these words came to my mind, “The Search for Spock”. Jesus knows I am a Star Trek fan and I immediately recognized that this was the title of a movie that I had seen almost 40 years ago. I did not remember the movie well enough to understand what message Jesus was communicating to me through this movie. To get the message, I had to search for the movie and watch it again.
Messianic Themes
Spoiler Alert: The movie was full of Messianic Themes of sacrifice based on love, death, saving a soul, and resurrection. At the movie’s beginning, the focus is on Spock and why he dies. Spock dies because he sacrificed his life to save the Enterprise Crew. Captain Kirk kept asking Spock WHY he sacrificed himself. Spock essentially told Kirk that logically he thought, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.”. Spock also spoke about their friendship as he told Kirk, “Jim, I have been and will always be your friend. Live long and prosper.”.
Why
In the last few minutes of the movie, it shifts its focus to WHY The Enterprise Crew and Captain have also risked everything for Spock. The Vulcan soul of Spock had been mind-meld into Dr. McCoy. McCoy had to choose if he was willing to risk his own life to try and save Spock’s Vulcan soul. Even though it had never been done before, it worked. Spock’s soul was returned to his new body.
Self Sacrifice
Unfortunately, Spock did not remember the Enterprise Crew, but his father had told him of their sacrifices and actions to save him. Spock spoke to Kirk because he wanted to know WHY they had done all of the things they had done. Kirk spoke of their friendship and how Spock was his friend and would have done the same for him.
Kirk said, “Because the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many”. As Kirk spoke his lines they also resonated within my soul as if Christ was speaking to me. I understood that Christ and even His Disciples had died for the many. However, the sacrifice Jesus made was also for the one, me. Jesus sacrificed His life willingly for us as the individuals we are; for me His friend. Jesus wanted me to remember that His Disciples also gave their lives following Him, for me and those I love.
The Star Trek Fan Rewards
In the movie, the lines about the needs of “the one” were another turning point. It was the beginning of the healing of Spock’s mind. As a Star Trek Fan who loves Spock, the signs of Spock’s mind beginning to heal made me happy. If you are not a Star Trek Fan this movie would seem off-beat with strange ridiculous responses by the characters. Only a true fan who understands the personal relationships of an Enterprise Crew can fully appreciate this movie. I had watched over the years as the crew became family with an unspoken love for each other. I understood that love drove some of their bizarre behavior in this movie.
Asking the Right Question
I happily sat through the 1.45 hours of the movie, often wondering WHY had I not noticed the many parallels to Christ years ago. There was even a scene where the empty coffin with the burial robe of Spock was found on the new planet (Genesis) created by Admiral Kirk’s son, David. David is the only son of Kirk and by the way, he also dies to save the life of another. After watching the movie, I found myself still wondering WHY did I not remember the Messianic Themes. I discovered the movie came out three years before I became a Christian.
The Answer
Once, I realized why I did not remember the Messianic Themes; Jesus brought a prayer to my mind where I had prayed for God to restore everything that had been stolen from me by the enemy. My prayer had been inspired by the song of Tauren Wells, Take it All Back. I prayed that prayer with my sister and numerous times alone. I prayed that God would help me and those I prayed for take it all back and restore everything the enemy had stolen from us. God has reminded me again that He remembers all of our prayers.
God Remembers All of Our Prayers
The message that Jesus was sending me through this movie is: I am your God. I remember all of your prayers and I will help you take back what the enemy has stolen. Jesus is my dear friend and savior. My need as “the one” is important to Him and our Holy Father. The Disciples also followed Christ so that we could be saved, even though it was dangerous for them.
Bottom Line this idea of taking back what the enemy has stolen started in a prayer that was inspired by a Christian song. My heart is full of joy knowing how dearly I am loved by God, even before I became a Christian. I missed a blessing watching this movie years ago, but not this time. I watched it with my friend Jesus and He used it to communicate how much He loves me. He reminded me how much it cost God and His Disciples to bring about my salvation in Christ.
Prayer and Praise
Lord God Almighty, sanctify me in the essence of You and heal my lack of understanding. This movie reminded me of how I had often questioned God the Father, asking WHY Jesus needed to suffer and die for my sins. Thank You for helping me to understand it is because You love me.
Holy Father, praise You for helping me understand it was all about our needs and how You wanted to save my eternal soul. Thank You for loving us so much that You and Jesus would suffer for all of us. Thank You for reminding me how important the Disciples were then and now in Your Kingdom. Thank You Jesus for Your John 17 prayer for us. Help me let go of any fears I have following You. Help me receive Your perfect love that casts out fear. Help me be willing and obedient as one of Your Disciples.
Lord Jesus, there is no one like You. I realize now that people cannot understand Your strange ways and powerful love for us as individuals unless they have a personal relationship with You and our Father. Jesus, thank You for being my friend and savior. I know You will do whatever it takes to save our souls. I can count on You to do whatever it takes to meet my needs or those I am praying for. You remember and move on each of our prayers.
Lord God Almighty, You alone are holy. Be glorified because of who You are and Your unstoppable love for me and those I pray for. Thank you for remembering the prayers that I have often forgotten. Amen.