Yeah, I’m a Trekkie. Not the kind that wears the uniform, attends conventions, or actually learned Klingon. But I dig the franchise, especially Next Generation and Deep Space 9. Okay, I enjoyed Voyager, too. So, I was instantly reeled in with Ken Sande’s brief meditation, “Star Trek and the Incarnation.” It comes from the most recent issue of Reconciled, Peacemaker‘s “ten-minute tour around the world of peacemaking.” Whether Trekkie or not, I think you’ll enjoy this brief meditation on our Savior’s Incarnation and the great salvation He brought to us!
Star Trek and the Incarnation
by Ken Sande
I’m an old Star Trek fan. The original Star Trek. The shows that had the same plot from week to week: The Enterprise warps through space to a strange planet. Uhura hears a distress signal. Kirk, Spock, an attractive crewwoman, and a few disposable crewmen beam down to investigate. Things get messy. Aliens disintegrate the disposable crew-men and close in on the rest of the Away Team. At the last moment, Kirk flips out his communicator and says, “Beam us up, Scotty!” and the team is instantly transported to safety.
Similar and yet so different from the Incarnation (Col. 1:15-20).
Jesus created space and everything in it … naming each star as he hung it in the sky. He hears our distress signal … anticipating it before time began. He beams down to earth … no team, just a single baby lying in a manger. He grows into a man and takes on all the forces of evil. “Messy” does not begin to describe the battle he fights. Betrayed, flogged, beaten, and nailed to a cross. Instant rescue just a word away. But instead of saying, “Beam me up,” he whispers, “Your will be done …. Father forgive them …. Into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Could there be a greater contrast? Yes. There is still another astonishing element. We were not friends deserving his help, and he did not rescue us from aliens. He rescued us even though we ourselves were both aliens and enemies:
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Col. 1:21-22).
I pray that this contrast will prompt you to do two things this Christmas season: First, love and worship Jesus with all your heart, strength, soul, and mind for what he has done for you.
Second, imitate what Jesus did through the Incarnation. When you hear the distress signal of conflict, let go of your comfort and ask God to beam you into others’ lives. And when things get messy—when tempers flare and words wound — don’t say, “Beam me up.” Instead, press in as Jesus did. Pray. Love. Confess. Forgive. Let God use you to restore relationships and turn enemies and aliens into dearly loved friends.
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