The Jesus Revolution
I saw the “Jesus Revolution” movie on Sunday. I couldn’t help myself – after all, I had been seeing many of my Catholic and evangelical friends posting on social media saying it is a must-see! I was glad I bowed to peer-pressure. Kelsey Grammar played his “pastor” role beautifully. BTW, the movie, just premiered 10 days ago. It was expected to bring in $7MM at the box office. As of yesterday, it has grossed over $30MM.
This true story is compelling and is based on the worldwide ministries of Harvest Ministries’ Greg Laurie in the 1960s and 70s. I remember those days in Dallas, Texas. Long hair and tattered jeans’ hippies. Flower children selling flowers on street corners. I judged them, like so many others did. Many high on drugs, while others were high on Jesus.
I remember walking through a park and one of those guys approaching us and asking in a simple, straightforward tone, “Do you know Jesus?” We replied, “Yes sir. We know Jesus.” He smiled and said, “Cool man,” then he walked further into the park talking to others as he had with us.
I had forgotten about those days until I saw the movie. The “Jesus Revolution” aka “Jesus Movement” was a phenomenon. Tens of thousands were baptized during spontaneous celebrations. Spiritual discussions took place in houses and in parks. Witnessing was done on the streets by word of mouth.
That unusual movement may not have reached its full potential due to the fears of those within established churches and Christian institutions. There was a lot of resistance. I remember we resisted those folks who didn’t have the “typical” Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes on and, for goodness sakes, they were barefoot!
People were suspicious of folks like that. But, for many of us, we now carry forward the message of Jesus Christ in untraditional ways too – like using social media to share the Good News and are advancing the Kingdom of God in the ways God has called us.
Many of the Gospel preachers, teachers, priests, and evangelists today came from the Jesus Movement. They, too, were impacted by the sheer hunger and thirst for more of God.
Those were the times that we were the Master’s IV Quartet. We, too, sang in those parks right along with the “Jesus Movement” crowd. Policemen who at first monitored the crowd with distrust became Christians through the singing, preaching and evangelism. There were authentic transformations in the lives of young people.
Today, all over the world, there is a God-inspired movement taking place. Asbury college and other campuses are hungering and thirsting for more of God. They are receiving His graces in an outpouring that seems like a phenomenon. In reality, it is God moving by His Spirit through the lives of those desiring more of Him.
God is up to something in these times. And I believe it is up to you and me to get in the flow. We should anticipate God’s move during these times when so many things and people seem so wrong. God is always ready to release His Holy Spirit to those who are vessels for His use.
A couple of Sunday nights ago, I witnessed this at our City Reach Church when young people (including my grandsons and their girlfriends) with arms wrapped around each other, with tears coming down their faces, desiring more of God in their lives. God is always waiting for prayers like that.
While it seems, at times, that our Country has “gone to hell in a handbasket”, our mighty, all-powerful God is up to something way more. “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD raises up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19)
Every day of my life, I see a new believing generation who are setting “an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). I say let’s participate in what God is doing so that we do not hinder His movement.