Les Miserables

A couple of weeks ago it was my pleasure to see the musical Les Miserables in London. I have now seen it no less than five times. My colleague, Seth, wanted to see it and so I was happy to go. I have always been moved by the power of the story; a story that is essentially Christian. The novel (and now the musical) pits Valjean, who represents grace, against the pitiless police inspector, Javert, who knows only the law.

But it doesn't start that way. Valjean, a man who was nearly crushed by the law, was once a bitter and angry man. His life changes, however, in a moment (or a chapter) entitled The Purchase of a Soul. In a time of need, a Catholic priest offers him free room and board. Valjean, seeing an opportunity to take advantage of one he regards an old fool, steals his silverware and escapes into the night. Soon apprehended, he is brought back to the priest for identification. But instead of giving Valjean what he deserves, he instead informs the police that they have made a mistake. Valjean, he says, did not steal the silverware. It was, rather, a gift. He then tells Valjean that he left in such haste that he overlooked the silver candlesticks, which were worth more than all of the rest. Dumbfounded by this extraordinary gesture of undeserved grace, Valjean weeps tears of repentance. And then the priest says:

But remember this my brother
See in this some higher plan,
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man.
By the witness of the martyrs,
By the passion and the blood,
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for good.

Valjean is a changed man. He commits his life to Christ. But his past haunts him in the form of Javert. In the end, the two men and their respective worldviews, grace and law, clash. Valjean is given a golden opportunity to be rid of his tormentor forever, but instead chooses to extend to him grace; the same grace that was once given to him. I will not spoil the story for those of you who have not read the novel or seen the musical, but I highly recommend it. Suffice it to say, grace prevails.

Through this play the Gospel has found its way into the mainstream that few really notice. But make no mistake about it: the story is Christian.