Les Misérables - A Redemptive Story

A late night yesterday as Roh and I enjoyed our new dvd – Les Misérables.

Les Misérables is a powerful story. Not just the music and acting- but the story itself. It’s a story of redemption. Of someone getting a second chance. Of being given hope when there was none.

Every one of us has a spiritual ‘awareness’, a knowledge that there must be more to life. That ‘more’ can only be filled by Jesus’ redemption. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to accept that, like so many in the film, we are lost, poor, alone. Like the main character, we deserve nothing. History shows Jesus lived, died and rose again. Taking our punishment. That moment offers us our own redemption.

In a moment of love and forgiveness, the main character,  Jean Valjean, was given hope. The bishop who welcomes him into the church building on a cold night says ‘you need not tell me who you are. This is not my house; it is the house of Christ. It does not ask any comer whether he has a name, but whether he has an affliction. You are suffering; you are hungry and thirsty; be welcome . . . Your name is my brother.’

Valjean accepts the forgiveness and lives a selfless life as a result. His own forgiveness of his enemy is summed up in these words:

You are free, and there are no conditions,
No bargains or petitions.
There's nothing that I blame you for
You've done your duty, nothing more.

We can do the same. Live a life according to the maker’s instructions. A life that is whole, full and free. Generous and forgiving. Anything less is less than our maker intended.

There is power in love and forgiveness.