The Power Of Grace

"If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (John 20:23)

   I have been looking with much anticipation to seeing the movie version of Les Miserables. And so it is with a bit of frustration I write this ,today almost two weeks after it's opening that as of yet I've not made it to the theater to see it. Oddly enough Christmas time tends to be busy in the church, so making the time hasn't been easy. Add to that the virus that seems to be running rampant right now has kept at least one of our family members down for the count for over a week now. At least I've avoided that.

  There are a few reasons why I wanted to see the movie. One of the main reason I confess is that it was eh musical Kelly and I saw on our Honeymoon in Toronto 23 years ago this past week. So being able to see the movie version come to life on or near our anniversary had a nice symmetry to it.

  But it's more than the music as great as that is. It's even more than the reminder of the first days of our marriage, as important as they are to us. What draws me back to the musical , and in all fairness to Victor Hugo the book, is the message. 

  I've read much lately on how depressing Les Miserables is. And indeed there is more than a fair amount of depression, death, poverty, poverty and cruelty. Yes main characters die. But to only see this is to miss what I believe to be Hugo's main point. What I believe Hugo is trying to show is how one small moment of grace  to one person can effect generations. And how if we ignore that grace we lose all hope.

  In the story the protagonist Valjean, hating mankind, steals some silver from a Bishop. When caught not only does the Bishop forgive Valjean but gives him the "best of the lot" Silver candlesticks. That one act of Grace, of kindness, changes Valjean forever. In that act he discovers the redemption found in the arms of God.

   The Candlesticks are in many scenes for eh rest of the play reminding us of God's life changing grace. Because Valjean is change, he saves others  often at great risk to Himself. He even tries to spare the life of the man sworn to capture him, the man who refuses to recognize grace, Javert. In the end Valjean dies with his loved ones around him. Javert, unable to give or receive grace, commits suicide.

  Life changing grace, no matter how small can change the world. That's what Jesus is saying in this often misunderstood and enigmatic verse at the top of our blog. Jesus reminds us that an act of forgiveness or grace, even if it seems inconsequential to us may be the difference between heaven and hell for others.

  As we begin this New year, I can't help but wonder what would happen is we, who have truly experienced the grace of God, might try to extend in even small ways,. God's grace to someone else?  What would happen if you would do this?

In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><