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Frank L. Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz in 1900 and it became a broadcast TV tradition in 1959. When I watched it for the first time at 10 years old, it became my favorite movie (once I got over the unsettling scene of the flying monkeys). Our family would not miss this wonderful annual fall tradition. 

Each of the characters—Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion—have their own personalities and individual needs, much as we do in our lives.

I’ve taken the liberty of using these fun-loving characters from The Wizard of Oz as a means to introduce the Gospel of God’s Grace within the Scriptures. Let’s take a closer look.

Dorothy

Dorothy is filled with childlike curiosity. She’s always searching for something “somewhere over the rainbow”—far away from life’s problems. But throughout the movie, she’s eager to return home.

Are we like Dorothy? Life’s journey may be filled with many fun adventures, but afterwards do you know for sure you’ll be home, safe with God in Heaven forever? If you’re searching for a way home, the Bible can be your roadmap.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you… ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:1-2, 6).

The Scarecrow

The Scarecrow is a lovable character who desperately wishes for a brain. He’s searching for intellect.

God has given us minds to obtain both knowledge and wisdom so that we might glorify God and serve our fellow man. We can always look to His Word for truth.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

The Tin Woodman

The Tin Woodman wants a heart, filled with love and compassion.

The Bible shows who and how we should love with our hearts.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). 

The Cowardly Lion

The Cowardly Lion is fearful and in need of courage. Yet, time and time again, despite his fear, he shows courage.

When we believe in the Lord, we have nothing to fear, for fear is the opposite of faith.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”
(2 Timothy 1:7).

The Wicked Witch

As this motley crew travel down the Yellow Brick Road, they face many pitfalls along the way. The Wicked Witch represents absolute wickedness—hurling fiery darts and temptations in the path of Dorothy and her friends.

Like Dorothy, we have an enemy, too. Satan tries to keep us from knowing God and from making God known.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Glinda

Glinda gives Dorothy and her friends guidance and direction.

As believers in Christ, we also have a comforter—The Holy Spirit.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).

“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things…” (John 14:26).

The Wizard

At the end of the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy and her friends approach the Wizard of Oz. They find him to be a charlatan and a real humbug—he’s merely a man and not a powerful being at all. The wizard wants them to bring the broomstick of the Wicked Witch so he will fulfill their requests. He requires them to “do” something.

Many people believe that they can get into Heaven by doing good works. However, Jesus makes it clear that salvation is a free gift—all that God requires is that we repent (have a change of heart about our sin) and put our total trust in Jesus. No works—just by God’s grace alone.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

The Yellow Brick Road

We’ve seen where the Yellow Brick Road can lead. Now, let’s take a look at another road known as “The Romans Road.” 

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

In Conclusion 

When we receive the Lord, we receive a new mind, a new heart, and a new courage (strength) through our faith in Jesus Christ. Just as Dorothy had to put her faith in the Ruby Slippers to return home, each of us must likewise put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross to spend eternity in Heaven’s home.

It is a personal relationship between you and God, and no one else can do it for you.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). 

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