Tag: Woke

“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

The Easter season might seem like an odd time to consider the fact that one day, “woke” will work. The woke movement began many decades ago, but its meaning has evolved over the years to influence votes, opinions, and choices today.

According to a Forbes article, “Before the word was co-opted by the right wing, “woke” was a word used within Black communities and social justice campaigns to refer to an awareness of inequality, with some urging others to “stay woke”—and picked up mainstream popularity as the Black Lives Matter movement grew in the early 2010s, particularly after the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.” 

There has never been a time in human history when certain groups didn’t feel alienated and abused. For some, it relates to their race, but historically, people have also been grouped by religion, nationality, politics, and many other factors. In many ways the first-century Christians could have been labeled “woke” by their peers. If woke is a movement to “raise awareness of inequality,” then Jesus would have sided with the woke of his day. 

When did “woke” work?

The early Christians were considered radical believers when they first began. Their cause ran counter to the traditional values and beliefs of their day. The early Christians claimed that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and that everyone needed to place their faith in him to be right with God.

The early Christians claimed to have been eyewitnesses to miracles, even the miracle of raising a person from the dead. Meanwhile, the leaders of the day were warning people not to listen to or follow what the “woke” were preaching. How did this small group of people succeed?

The Christian movement changed the world. The leaders could not stop the movement, even when they killed the leader, persecuted the followers, and did their best to undermine the movement at each turn.

Why did “woke” work in the first century? It was led by the power of God, for the sake of his plans. The disciples were tasked with “raising awareness” to the reality of Jesus the Messiah, not Jesus as simply a man. The disciples were called to be witnesses of the gospel despite persecution and cultural bias. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the gospel message, the work of the “woke” would have been ineffective. The gospel message has thrived because it is the truth of God and fulfills his purpose for all of creation.

Would you have been part of the first-century “woke”?

I do not know if I would have become a follower of Christ in the first century. I’ve always respected my leaders, and I tend to seek and follow their advice. In many ways, I am “a respecter of persons” as the King James Bible would define that.

I don’t know if I would have gone against the flow and followed Jesus. That thought gives me a sense of compassion and respect for those early Christians. I don’t know if I would have listened to the disciples instead of the spiritual leaders of the day. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to join the movement those early Christians began. 

Easter separated the “woke” from the masses

God’s people were looking for a Messiah king, not the King who was Messiah. The Jewish people were looking for someone who would put the nation of Israel at the top once again. They wanted their Messiah to be like King David and rule the world. Jesus came to be a shepherd King, not a warrior king. When Jesus was hung on the cross, to most in the first-century, he had failed. When Jesus died, he was seen as a kind man who had been misguided. Many saw Jesus die on a cross, but none of them witnessed the actual moment he came back to life.

A few followers witnessed Jesus after his resurrection, and those were the people who began the movement that would follow. The Spirit-filled disciples were the “woke” of the first century, and many of them died for their cause. Their lives were spent “raising awareness” that Jesus of Nazareth was God’s chosen Messiah, God’s Son.

When will “woke” be perfected?

Paul was under house arrest in Rome when he wrote his letter to the church in Galatia. The Christians were enduring significant inequality and had a strong need for justice. Church history records several eras that are defined by those same needs. Anytime there is a common belief, supported by leaders, that stands against God’s plan, it will fail. But historically, speaking the truth has always come at a cost. 

Paul’s words to the people in Galatia were intended to help them survive persecution and stand on the truth. Paul was encouraging them with these words about heaven. He wrote, “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).

Heaven is where “woke” will work forever

The only place where the movement against inequality will be unnecessary is in God’s eternal kingdom. Until then, we are human beings struggling against human sins. The best road to a working, woke people will be found through unity in the Holy Spirit as we live for God’s truth and purpose.

Jesus was waiting for his captors when he prayed for his future disciples, saying, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11). The news will report on the Christian movement this week as we celebrate Easter, our way. We offer the world a movement against “inequality” because we speak the gospel message of truth. Justice is found when we are “one in Christ Jesus.” 

Easter ignited the Christian “woke” movement, and for more than two millennia, its message has never changed. Jesus is Lord. He is risen. We believe.

Woke doesn’t work, apart from the powerful word of God. Let’s fully join the movement that has continued to work, albeit imperfectly, since it first began. Jesus prayed for that in the Garden of Gethsemane, and his prayer has been answered over and over again.

Will you join the movement Jesus began? Will you commit to your defined role as a Christian disciple and share his gospel with all you can? Welcome to the “woke” message that will work.