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The Last Starfighter
Friday, February 6, 2026 by Rick Stockwell
The Last Starfighter
READ Matthew 22:1-14
… many are invited, but few are chosen.
-- Matthew 22:14 (NIV)
In the 1984 movie, "The Last Starfighter," a teenage boy living in a trailer park achieves the highest-ever score on a video game, then is recruited by an alien (disguised in human form) to fight evil invaders in an interstellar war. He then uses his skills to pilot an actual gunship to defend a planet from annihilation. Of all the lifeforms on all the planets in the galaxy, he was one of the few chosen for this monumental task.
In the parable of the Wedding Feast, the king tells his servants to invite the wedding guests, but many decline stating they’re too busy with other pursuits. Other invitees mistreated or killed the king’s servants. The king sent his army to destroy them. The king then told his servants to invite anyone else they could find to the wedding feast. Many came, but one of the invitees did not have the proper wedding clothes, so he was thrown outside where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Many hear the invitation to be reconciled with God, but few listen. They’re either enamored by the things of this world or outright hostile to his call. No one can come to Christ, to be saved from the consequences of their sins, unless God the Father draws them (John 6:44). Those chosen by God have ears to hear and respond to the invitation to become part of God’s family. Those who do not listen, and do not accept the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on their behalf, will be thrown into hell, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth forever.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Prayer: Father in heaven, please give us ears to hear your invitation and hearts to respond to it.
Prayer Focus: PILOTS
Rick Stockwell
Rick Stockwell retired from a career in information technology, teaches Sunday school for first graders, served as an elder at his church, has been married for thirty-five years, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Rick is the author of two novels in his Heavenly Realms series called The Wall and The Battle. Audio, eBook and paperback versions are accessible via this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
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