Power Verses…… Words of Jesus from His Sermon on the Mount. “You're hear to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I going to hide you under a a bucket do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand....SHINE!" (Matthew 5:14-16 "The Message" Translation.)

I don’t know if you are a fan of London West End or, if in New York, Broadway musicals, but my wife and I are committed fans. Every time we visit London we always try to book a West End show, it is often the highlight of our visit.

Among the many we have enjoyed over the years, none has ever affected us as deeply as Les Miserable. In fact I have seen it on four occasions, and would never tire in seeing it again and again. When it was decided to put Victor Hugo’s classic novel on the stage in the form of a dramatic musical, a masterpiece was created, not only for the public to enjoy, but to impart a powerful message the world needs to hear over and over again.

As you may know Les Miserable is a story of a lifelong conflict between love and hatred…… between one whose hatred and bitterness drove him to despair, and another, reclaimed by forgiveness who chose to live his life in love and grace.

Jean Valjean, released on parole after nineteen years on the chain gang, soon learns that his wretched past has condemned him to the life of an outcast. Only a saintly bishop treats him kindly and yet Valjean, scarred and hardened by his prison years, repays the bishop by stealing some of his silver. Caught and brought back by the police, Valjean is astonished when the bishop demonstrates mercy and lies to the authorities to save him. In addition, the kind man of God forgave him, extended love to him, and gives him an additional two valuable candlesticks. Seized by the significance of such an act of grace, Valjean declares that he will never be the same again. And he vows to become a man of simple faith and live a worthwhile life.

From then on however, Valjean is hunted and haunted by his enemy, the policeman Javert, who is determined to prove him guilty and get him back in prison. Valjean nevertheless, stays with his commitment. In utter humility, he refuses to retaliate, which both infuriates and confuses Javert. In tender love, Valjean adopts the child Cosette and later risks his life for her fiancé. Again and  again, he overcomes evil with good by continually turning  the other cheek, loving his neighbour as himself, refusing to seek his own needs first, sacrificing for those in need, and doing unto others as he would have them do unto him. He never bears grudges, continues to care for the dying and, in the end overpowers his enemy, Javert, with the power of the love of Christ.  He epitomizes the essential truths of the Sermon on the Mount.

 The last line of the musical captures both the essence of the musical and the message of the Christian faith: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”

In a busy, angry, and an increasingly complicated world like ours, I know of no greater need than to experience an authentic display of simple Christian faith.  

Surrounded by a jumble of worthless activities being carried out by exhausted, joyless and confused people, many of them claiming to be Christians, the presence of a life that demonstrates love, compassion, humility, and mercy, is sadly in short supply.

Our communities need more Jean Valjean’s………….Will you be one of them?

 “A rough path is sometimes worth the treading if, in so doing,
we can tread down the brambles and thistles in the path of another.” 
Anon.