What we can learn from ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Considering Matthew 7:13-14
Considering Matthew 7:13-14
For sure many of us have seen the movie The Wizard of Oz; I for one have, just about every year of my earlier years – a popular film it was (and still is I imagine). It has been aired on television once a year for many years, and it is probably still available at public libraries and online.
But what can we learn from that film? It’s about a girl named Dorothy; experiencing a tornado somewhere in the state of Kansas, the house with her in it is then slammed down somewhere in “Munchkin Land.” There she meets the Munchkin people – a friendly and hospitable short people. But she remembers her home is in Kansas and wishes to get back there, to her aunt and uncle.
The Munchkins inform her that she should go to the “Emerald City” and meet the wizard of Oz; as she is encouraged he can help her get back to Kansas. To get to the Emerald City, however, she has to follow the yellow brick road, as the “good witch” instructs her and puts on her feet a pair of ruby slippers. But the way is not easy, for one the “bad witch” pursues her, attempting to get those ruby slippers.
And so Dorothy is off following the yellow brick road on her way to the Emerald City to meet the wizard of Oz with hopes she’ll find her way back to Kansas. On her way down that road, she meets three others -- a scarecrow, who needs a brain, a tin man who needs a heart, and a cowardly lion who needs courage. And so, they continue on together, following that "yellow brick road" to meet the wizard of Oz.
But, there is something else some of us may have missed in viewing that movie. Myself seeing the film, I noticed as Dorothy was still in Munchkin Land there was another road – a red brick road – running parallel to that yellow brick road; in my mind, I asked for some reason (wondering) where does that red brick road go?
The film brings one to realize the evil along with the good – “good” witches and bad witches (uh, is there truly any such thing as a “good” witch?) – wizards, warlocks, vampires, and psychics. Along with astrologers and sorcerers; all is evil – up to no “good” in God’s eyes. But then there’s the Emerald City to cover up it all, emphasizing the earthly pleasurable pursuits.
Something more pleasurable, however, as I have come to realize is pursuing the immortal things of God in my walk along this mortal narrow way (consider Matthew 7:13-14). Like Dorothy, I too have three friends walking along with me – the Almighty Three-in-one Elohim, my “brain,” my heart,” and my “courage.”
As my “brain,” as God encourages in His Word, I’m to seek wisdom, and He is my wisdom all along the way.
“...for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.,” Proverbs 8:11-12.
“...for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict,” Luke 21:15.
“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” Philippians 4:8.
As my “heart,” from all my idols, I am cleansed (see Ezekiel 36:25).
God says, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules,” Ezekiel 36:26, 27.
“And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts,” 2 Corinthians 3:3.
As my “courage,” God continually reminds me, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:9; in so going His grace is “all-sufficient (see 2 Corinthians 12:9, as well Exodus 4:12).
Therefore, choosing no longer to follow that "yellow brick road" (the "broad way", see Matthew 7:13-14) to find my way home, having accepted Jesus (Yeshua) -- John 1:12-13 -- I have put off (for the most part) the TV, the Hollywood craves, and sports fanaticism -- my idols growing up. Thinking of this, consider Psalm 24:1-10 and 1 John 2:17. The Life Application Study Bible (LASB) notes, “Because the earth is the LORD’s, all of us are stewards, or caretakers, of it … We are not to become devoted to anything created or act as sole proprietors, however, because the world is passing away (1 John 2:17).
The LASB further notes on 1 John 2:17, “When the desire for possessions and sinful pleasures feels so intense, we probably doubt that these objects of desire will all one day pass away. It may be even more difficult to believe that the person who does the will of God will live forever… Knowing that this evil world will end can give [us] the courage to deny [ourselves] temporary pleasures in this world in order to enjoy what God has promised for eternity.”
Ah, I guess something “good” can from Hollywood after all, at least in this one instance; seeing that red brick road, God used it to remind me of the more meaningful way – through the blood of Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ (Messiah) – see Colossians 1:19-21 – I have been cleansed and given a new more purposeful life. Realizing this for myself, I have, therefore, refocused, traveling the red brick road, serving the immortal in this mortal time, on my way to my forever home, not the fiction “emerald city,” but the eternal Kingdom of God.
Consider also, among others, James 1:5; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 1:17; Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 27:1; 56:3-4; Isaiah 41:10-13; Matthew 10:28; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:12-14; Hebrews 13:5-6; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18; 1 Chronicles 28:20.
