The horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’” “What do you have to do with peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” The lookout reported, “The messenger has reached them, but he isn’t coming back.” – 2 Kings 9:18

Today’s Scripture Reading (November 9, 2016): 2 Kings 9

Early in the movie Star Wars, we get our first example of the power that the Jedi warriors could exercise over the mind. Even in reality, the most significant battlefield lies between our ears. What we believe we can do, we can do. What we think is impossible, will remain forever outside of our ability to complete. It all starts in the mind. What a weapon it would be if we could change the perceptions of our enemy’s minds with mere words. Of course, politicians try to do that all the time, but they don’t have the success in the art that the fictional Jedi Knight’s had.

In this early Star Wars scene, the hero’s of the story (Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and their Droids – C3PO and R2D2) find their way to Mos Eisley Spaceport. Unfortunately, the Spaceport is on the lookout for the Droids. Obi-Wan and the young Skywalker are pulled over by some Storm Troopers. The soldier asks for Luke Skywalker’s identification. But it is Obi-Wan that replies to the request “You don’t need to see his identification.” The trooper echoes the thought “We don’t need to see his identification.” Then Obi-Wan goes on the offensive with one of the most famous lines (or most parodied lines) of the film. “These aren’t the Droids you’re looking for.” And again, the trooper repeats the line “These aren’t the Droids we’re looking for.” Once more, Obi-Wan speaks “He can go about his business.” The trooper addresses Luke, “You can go about your business.” The next words are intended for Luke, but by now the Trooper is too tied up with Obi Wan’s thoughts. Obi-Wan tells Luke to “move along,” and in a moment of comic relief the Storm Trooper issues the order twice – “move along, move along.”

You have to wonder if the inspiration for the Jedi mind control came from this passage – either that or maybe Jehu was a descendant of the Jedi Knights (after all, the “Star Wars” saga happened “Long, long ago”). Joram sees Jehu approach and sends out a messenger to ask why he is coming. The messenger asks “Do you come in peace?” Jehu answer is “What do you have to do with peace?” a Jehu version of Obi Wan’s “These are not the Droids you’re looking for.” And then Jehu orders the man to “fall in” behind him, and he does. The opening fight of the final battle between Joram and Jehu won without a shot being fired, and without any betrayal of Jehu’s intentions to Joram. The scene is repeated once more, with the same result. The second soldier joins the first as Jehu makes his way toward the city.

Of course, rather than “Jedi mind tricks,” it is more likely that these soldiers had grown tired of Joram’s leadership and were waiting for someone like Jehu to come along so that they could join forces with him. But the thought of “Jehu the Jedi Knight” is at least an interesting idea as Joram’s reign comes to its predicted end.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 10