Woodstock Loves Jesus
I never would have guessed how comfortable the secular world is with Jesus. I’ve heard it said that “Everybody wants a King like Jesus. If we represent Him well, they’ll want His body too.” I think this summer, I finally realized what that meant. During my time with Steiger International’s mission school, I had been given the opportunity to be Jesus in the most secular of worlds: Woodstock Poland.
There were an estimated 500,000 - 700,000 people in attendance. The bands were not great. Most, if not all of them, were severely past their prime. I recall everyone that I spoke with stating they were there to find happiness through whatever means. It varied from alcohol, drugs, sex or friendship.
We arrived the day before the festival began and within the first 15 minutes, I’d say we saw everything you could have imagined. At least 40% of the attendance was heavily drunk, drugged, or both. Both alcohol and drugs were being passed around, or requested in the open. Every 10 minutes or so a 4-Wheeler would drive by with a body behind it. It’s anyones guess as to if they were hurt, unconscious or dead. Any sexual act was also right there in the open.
During my time here, I would ask people two questions:
1. “What is your purpose in life?”
2. “How can I pray for you?”
These two questions provoked deep thoughts with every person. Both were direct and got straight to the core of each person in a unique way.
We prayed for people with broken bones, random people just hanging out, drunk people - depressed about situations in life, and even high gurus of the sect Hare Krishna (THAT was interesting). The most common answer I got to the first question was a somber pause, and then usually, a very self confronted answer as though they put themselves on the spot in the mirror. Some couldn't answer it, others stated things like to be happy, or something else that diverted the attention away.
When I asked the second question, I made sure they knew I was coming to them on behalf of Jesus and what He has accomplished. Mostly because, I was always in or around the Hare Krishna village and I did not want them to think I was associated with that. This question was also interesting. Once the lies were undone about how God viewed them, and just how much access they had to Him - the walls came down immediately and we saw several lives changed and impacted by the simple Gospel. Many were given bibles and were able to come to a ministry tent to receive a long-term community where they are at!
Jesus bless Woodstock. You are crazy about every person in attendance and you proved that.
