GREEK HELLEWHAT?
Alexander the Great’s power and influence shaped the landscape of the first century in which our Master Yeshua (Jesus) found himself. Over 300 years before Yeshua’s arrival Alexander the Great conquered the territory surrounding Palestine and far, far beyond. Reaching all the way from Macedonia to India. His influence and his greek culture (Greek Hellenism) would then begin to change the surrounding countries and nations, including the very culture that shaped our Master.
The Hellenistic period lasted from 323 BC until 31 AD. Religiously polytheistic, Greek Hellenism also centered around the worship of one’s body and mind. During that time the philosopher Epicurious argued that the most important pursuit was that of one’s individual pleasure and happiness. Hellenism also gives credence to human beings as the ultimate source of truth and authority in the world.
Since the human body and mind were thought of with such great importance Hellenism placed a great focus on knowledge, athletics, and nudity in art. Therefore it was expected and encouraged for people to compete in sports or go to the bathhouse in the nude. Which went completely against the laws of the Torah.
Greek Hellenism and the Jewish world of the first century were at great odds with one another. Any Jew hoping to remain faithful to God and carry His name among the nations would have to stand valiantly against the Hellenistic culture quickly shaping the world around them.
You and I as youth ministry leaders in the 21st century face similar challenges. We do not combat Greek Hellenism, but its ideas and emphases are very prevalent within our culture today. We might not have to deal with someone being encouraged to play pickleball in the nude, but athletics have an overwhelming grip on our culture and family systems. Also, the “You do you” way of life is the same self-centered way of life that influenced Greek Hellenism. Now, we as youth leaders are being challenged to offer a different way of life that stands against the cultural systems of our day- the way of the cross. The way of our Master.
Our Master’s way includes sacrifice, putting others first and worshipping the one, true and only God. It is a path that pursues purity above pleasure with a mission to be the light and love of God. Our goal and mission is not for others to worship us but to see Yeshua, our Master in us.
There were many Jews within the first century who gave into Greek Hellenism, but there were many who did not and God blessed them for their faithfulness to stand against the cultural influences that pulled them away from the teachings of Torah.
Be encouraged that some teenagers will go with you, to follow God in faithfulness, while others will give up and surrender to the pull of the culture. Keep standing in the gap and invite others into the way of the cross. Follow our Master so closely that you start to think and act like Him. Be the aroma of Christ so that others might want to follow the same Master you proclaim as King.
God will bless you for your faithfulness and for your willingness to lead people into the very things that please God’s heart; serving others, living selflessly, pursuing purity and loving others with all you’ve got.
Shalom,
Heather