On this day in history the summer blockbuster hit “Back to the Future” debuted to rave reviews and large crowds. It was the highest grossing film of 1985 and won three Academy Awards, including best screenplay. 

In the film, Marty McFly, played by a young Michael J. Fox, is able to time travel back to 1955 due to the help of the mad scientist, “Doc” Brown. This thirty-year time travel is driven out of Marty’s longing to ensure that: his parents fall in love; his Dad is confident to overcome the antagonisms of his nemesis “Biff;” his mom and siblings can be healthy and successful; and he is able to return back to the future with Doc. (I apologize for the spoiler alert if you have not yet seen the film.) 

“Back to the Future” can be enjoyed simply for its high-school antics, special effects (for 1985) and comical writing. There is also a deeper connection. Like Marty, we all want to go back in time to ensure a better future for ourselves and our families.  Marty wanted to change conditions in order to prevent down-in-out siblings, his mother’s alcoholism and his father’s lack of confidence and career success. He was also trying to assuage his own fear that he would fall into the same trap. His back to the future journey to 1955 allowed him to save his family from hurt, humiliation and brokenness. Wouldn’t we all like to go back to the future? 

Since real life doesn’t work like the movies, what hope do we have for this longing to go back to fix our present regret, pain and fear?  

The good news is that hope is found both in looking back and looking towards the future. Looking back to the cross gives great hope to those who believe. Christ’s atoning death broke the power of death (Rom. 6:10) and those who live with Christ (Rom. 6:8) witness Him redeeming broken family lines for His glory. The genealogies in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke reveal how Christ redeemed His own broken family through the cross and Christ continues to redeem broken families until all families will bow before Him (Rev. 7:11-12). 

The future, in Christ, is ultimately the source of hope for all who believe. God’s Kingdom advances despite persecution, war, tumult and suffering and there is an everlasting Kingdom that will fully come where Jesus will fully redeem His creation and people and where He will declare that “‘I am making all things new’” (Rev. 21:5). 

In our longing to go back to the future, there is hope in Christ and in His story of redemption, grace and hope.