Six: An Ancient Movement
When you trusted in jesus…
There are several movements in the world today and countless throughout human history. They have ranged in purpose from peaceful protests for equal rights to violent overthrows of governments, from the spiritual to the social and everything in between. As human beings, we all have a deep desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves, something that lasts. Many wish to join in the struggle of their day and time, hoping to make a difference that matters, that lives beyond them.
These movements—centered around an idea, cause or person— are as old as time. They can also be quite powerful and effective, sometimes for good and far too often for unintended evil. They can be highly structured, part of an official organization, or simply a loose-knit group who believe in similar things. While many people today proudly represent and advocate for their favorite sports team, political policies or societal causes, when you trusted in Jesus, you joined the greatest movement of them all: the Jesus Movement.
This 2,000-year-old, global movement has done more good for humanity than any movement or organization in human history (and it’s not even close). This movement has transcended thousands of cultures, languages and geographies across millennia. It has taken care of more impoverished people, built more schools, more hospitals, simply helped and cared for more people, both physically and spiritually, than any other movement. From Harvard to Oxford, Johns Hopkins to the Mayo Clinic, Compassion International to the Salvation Army, there is a near- endless list of good works and institutions established by this movement, not to mention the work of countless believers who faithfully serve their communities behind the scenes. Nations and countries that are established by its people and on its principles have consistently produced more freedom, prosperity, human flourishing and generosity than others. It was people inspired and affiliated with this movement that helped abolish slavery in Europe and America. The investigation of its impact would require multiple lifetimes of intense study, if even possible. This is not to say that the movement doesn’t have its problems, challenges, or dark moments, as this is to be expected from any movement made up of flawed and sinful people. Yet at its heart is a call to sacrificial love and service of others, both physically and spiritually, and a commitment to restoration of the whole person.
One of the most remarkable things about this movement is that you can go almost anywhere in the world and find a member of a “local chapter.” In this movement, Jesus unites, in Himself, groups that were formally separated or at odds, as the Bible says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). It has survived intense persecution—where fellow members were tortured and murdered in horrific ways for their faith—but the movement only grew stronger in resolve and numbers. This movement offers radical forgiveness and reconciliation, and requires the same from its members as well. It is a movement that calls for the daily spreading of hope, truth, love and grace, in both word and deed, although often imperfectly. Welcome to this Ancient Movement: the Jesus Movement!