Revolution

There aren’t many movies I’m willing to pay good money to see. Call me cheap (or frugal, as my husband says), but it’s rare that anything worth paying $11a ticket graces the big screen. With all the streaming options, I’d rather watch from the comfort of my own home—and it costs next to nothing to pop my own popcorn.

Of course, there are exceptions. When the Top Gun: Maverick movie came out, we paid extra for my very first IMAX experience—and it was worth it.

Back in the day (yes, I’m old enough to say that now) I enjoyed watching the previews for upcoming releases. But with all the horror, violent, comic-based, and just plain stupid movies, it’s an exercise in disgust and disillusionment—and don’t get me started on the half hour of advertisements we have to sit through first. Just to say, going to the movies is not always a positive experience.

However, when Chris saw that The Jesus Revolution was opening, we not only cleared our calendars to go see it on opening day (a matinee, of course, because we’re that old and cheap…ahem, I mean frugal), we purchased our tickets online due to the hype. We have had the misfortune to show up for a movie only to have it be sold out. I didn’t think a 3:30 showing on a Friday afternoon of The Jesus Revolution would draw a huge crowd, but I was wrong. It paid to show up early, even with pre-purchased tickets, so we weren’t stuck right up front.

The movie is based off the 2018 book The Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed an Unlikely Generation and How He Can Do It Again Today by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn. The hippie generation of the late 60’s and early 70’s searching for a truth they could embrace—I should say The Truth—and it started with one pastor and one hippie coming together with a desire to make a difference in the lives of those who felt misunderstood and overlooked.

This movie is basically the history of how Calvary Chapel got started, and through that colossal movement, came many of our respected pastors of today. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a reminder that God can (and often does) change the trajectory of a nation using the most unlikely people. Hmm. Where have we seen that happen before? Oh, yeah, the Gospels—and many Old Testament stories. When it seems like a divided country is doomed to fall prey to the work of the enemy, God moves. He moves hearts and eyes to our prejudices and preconceived notions and enables us to minister to the lost and broken—just like Jesus did when He walked the earth.

It would be easy to believe that Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee were perfect in their faith and how they lived it out. They weren’t. If you research their past, you will find controversy and criticism followed them throughout their lives—for Lonnie it was somewhat short since he was only 43 when he died. But don’t let that be your focus. None of us are perfect, and it’s humbling and exciting how God uses the broken and weak for His purposes.

This movie will make you cry, laugh, and cheer. It is both convicting and inspiring. I’d even pay to go see it again.

One thing I have to say, because as a writer, the details matter—Chuck Smith would’ve been in his early 40’s during the movie’s time period. As good as Kelsey Grammar was playing the part, that ship sailed for him at least twenty-five years ago.

Fox News published an article on February 28^th titled, “’Jesus Revolution’ Performs Miracles at the Box Office, Receives Rave Reviews from Audience.” It not only received an A+ CinemaScore, but it doubled box office estimates. “It was forecasted to earn around $6 or $7 million in ticket sales but walked away from the weekend box office in third place with more than $15 million.”

We’re starting to see a trend in this country, and my prayer is that it continues. The unexpected revival at Asbury University in Kentucky that then spread to other institutions throughout the area received a lot of attention. Another (much smaller) revival happened just two weeks ago at Grove Hill Church in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. I believe The Jesus Revolution released at the perfect time—God’s time. People are fed up with the godlessness that’s been taking over our nation. I’m not going to get political, because I’m sure someone will misquote or misunderstand what I say. But we need Jesus here and now if we have any hope of slowing down the progression of evil.

So, I hope you’ll stand with me in solidarity and prayer that more people will find Jesus, and those that know Him won’t be satisfied with lukewarm faith. It’s time for another revolution!

Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter