Last week some friends and I attended the showing of the movie The Jesus Revolution. It is based on the real-life revival of Christianity in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  The movie took place during a time of much social upheaval.  Many Americans, especially young people had given up on what they dubbed “churchianity” and were searching for what was “true, real and transformational”. They were looking in all the wrong places through drugs, sex, and free love. 

Through God’s work, He brought together three people, Pastor Chuck Smith, Lonnie Frisbee, and Greg Laurie. Pastor Smith played by Kelsey Grammar opened the doors of his floundering church to a charismatic hippie-street-preacher, Lonnie Frisbee who brought with him many young people seeking the “truth”.  Among that group was a young man, Greg Laurie who at age 19 went on to lead the Harvest Christian Fellowship ministry. The three of them ultimately lead an unexpected revival of what was considered radical and new found love. The young people of this revolution delighted in the knowledge of the unconditional love of God through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ who took on our sins through His death on the cross. So much of their ministries focused on bringing people together to hear and share the word. They followed the words in Matthew 18:20- For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them.

Time magazine labeled this movement “The Jesus Revolution”. Like many of you, I remember this time very well since it took place when I was in high school. Christian rock bands came into being with rock songs of God’s love. These songs became popular and young people felt more connection to them. Many churches held nontraditional services with worship bands which attracted the young people who felt more in sync with the language, music, and more relaxed worship style. Since I belonged to a traditional Lutheran church, our services remained the same, but our Luther League, summer camps and youth gatherings certainly reflected The Jesus Revolution and I celebrated it as did most of my friends.

While the mood of the time might have been different, the Revolution was still focused on God’s Holy Word.  The Scriptures did not change according to the whim of a generation. The teachings of the Bible did then and continue to teach each generation the difference between right and wrong, good and bad and how to live our lives in service to God and His plan for us. You won’t find what you are looking for in the wrong places. Like the young folks of The Jesus Revolution, you can find the “truth” when you come to the understanding and acceptance of the Lord and His love.  Thanks be to God.

P.S. I would recommend this movie.  It is both inspirational and nostalgic and in this world so full of negativity, it is a light in the darkness.

Patty