What would you say is the most recognized opening crawl in film history?
Gotta be “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …” Right?
I know this may sound like one of Pastor Lincoln’s engaging opening questions on any given Sunday. Afterall he’s (much) more likely to quote from Star Wars than I am.
Truthfully, my personal favorite Star Wars film memory is from 2002 and it has little to do with the film itself. About 11pm on May 3, 2002, our phone rang. 11pm phone calls are not often good news. When my husband answered the call with a bit of wariness in his voice, he immediately broke into a grin as he heard his nephew Pieter say (over much background noise), “Guess where I am, Uncle Ron? I’m standing on line to see the original Star Wars in the same theater you first saw it in 25 years ago!” The two went on to nerd-out over all their favorite scenes and the costumes and the musical score and … I’m sure you get my drift.
The opening crawl, the first words of any presentation whether it be film, spoken word or written message, should grab our attention, cause us to lean in a bit, focus a little more, want to find out what’s coming.
In God’s Word, again and again, we have opportunity for our attention to be captured and drawn in …
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1.1-2
The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting … Leviticus 1.1 Yup, Leviticus! God spoke directly to Moses!
Or how about the start of Moses’ rallying of the campers as they began their trek to the Promised Land through enemy territory? These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness … Deuteronomy 1.1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked … Psalm 1.1
And into the New Testament we read these remarkable words …
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus, the Word) was in the beginning with God. John 1.1-2
And then there is this …
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He (God’s Son) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1.1-4
My friend, I invite you to consider these opening lines as your invitation to marvel and wonder over what God is revealing about Himself and about His Son. Over our next couple of weeks let’s revisit these opening words from the Book of Hebrews for deeper grasp of who Jesus is, a verse or two at a time. I can’t wait!
Grateful for Jesus’ love, mercy, and grace, Colleen