by Paul Johnstone
1) Beliefs
2) Battles
Barricades / Barriers
3) Bitterness or Brokenness
Beginnings
Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 6 vs 1-9
Ephesians Ch 2 vs 1-10
1 Peter 1 vs 13-15
As most of you are probably already very aware, in just one week’s time the local Operatic Society is going to be staging the internationally acclaimed Stage Musical ‘Les-Miserables’. You have probably seen the advertising around town or in the papers, and you may have read an article that I put in the recent Church Newsletter outlining the background to the story, and noting also that I, and others from here, happen to be in the cast of the show. (As an aside, that is why my hair is longer than normal, as I have to cultivate a ‘scruffy’ look – for the next two weeks!!)
Now the purpose of today’s sermon is not to be a 20 minute advertising break for ‘Les-Miserables’, nor am I going to attempt to analyse all of the key biblical themes, of which there are many, that are contained within the Show.
But what I would like to do, however, is touch on some issues and topics, that each one of us may need to grapple with in our lives, and briefly reflect on how that topic may be touched on within the Show ‘Les-Mis’.
* I intend to start with, firstly, some personal reflections.
* Then, secondly, I’ll give a brief overview of the story and its timeless themes.
* Then, finally, I’ll touch on three key life truths and see how these apply to ‘Les-Miserables’.
So, for some personal reflections:
One of the aspects that I enjoy most about the story of ‘Les-Miserables’ is that it is a story about real life – unpleasant, unfair, painful and unjust though it was for many people of that time, and still continues to be for so many. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from, or gloss over, the times of pain and difficulty that often confront us, but it does also show the possibility of hope for a new tomorrow, of redemption versus condemnation, and of legalism being overpowered by Grace. It shows us real life struggles, and of the power to overcome - but also of Grace sufficient when we fall short.
So on a personal note, I would add that when I knew late last year that I had a part in the Show, I decided that I would set some personal goals for this year – goals long overdue – that I wanted to work on anyway, but for which I had greater incentive to achieve through knowing I would be in this Show.
And these goals were around the areas of personal improvement, through looking hard at myself, of getting fitter, and losing some weight, of being more diligent and disciplined in my spiritual and prayer life, of improving a range of relationships, and work practices, and just generally seeking to be more on top of key areas in my life, and putting practical things in order.
Now I wish that I could say I am now 100% successful in all these goals – that I’m now supremely fit, and at my goal weight – a business genius – and a spiritual giant, able to overcome all temptations, trials and difficulties.
Well, I’m not. I haven’t reached all my goals. I still make mistakes, and let myself and others down, and I’m still not as disciplined as I should be in lots of areas, but I’m making good progress, and I’m grateful to God for that. And I’m grateful too that some of the themes contained in the storyline of ‘Les- Miserables’ reaffirm and continue to offer us hope and encouragement in the struggles of daily life, as they are based around some essential Biblical Truths.
Now, by way of a brief overview then of the story of ‘Les-Mis’:
Someone once said, when referring to the Arts in general “That in order for an artistic work to stand the test of time as something of true value, and lasting worth, it needs to reflect some essential God-given truth or principle”. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘Creation Ordinance’. In other words, the world has been created by God to function in a certain way. And when we fall into line with this plan, things work. We are blessed. Now, in the Arts that is often shown through, for example, God-given beauty in a painting or a sculpture, or through Biblical Truths and Principles, as portrayed in a book or drama, or through the gifts of purity, joy, hope and inspiration – contained within many musical pieces, and the like.
A ‘Creation Ordinance’
Now when referring to the Arts this can perhaps best be summarised as: For ‘lasting Appreciation’ we require ‘God’s Inspiration’, shown through ‘Our Demonstration’.
Well, it seems as though ‘The Book, Drama and Musical versions’ of Les- Miserables clearly portray a Creation Ordinance, something of God’s Demonstration of Truth, as they have lasted the test of time – while many other lesser works have long since been forgotten.
The musical is based on the 1862 book of the same name by Victor Hugo, (who had a very varied theological understanding and it appears wouldn’t have considered himself to be a committed Christian), and the book was apparently so popular when written that people queued to buy it. It primarily tells the story of Jean Valjean, a man driven to stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving family. He pays for his crime through 19 years hard labour and is released an angry and embittered man.
His bitterness, however, is melted as he experiences love, acceptance and grace at the hands of a very Godly bishop, who challenges him to live a life worthy of the generosity, grace and forgiveness that he has been shown.
The story follows his changed life of becoming a model citizen, even though he has to break his parole to be able to start his life once more.
In contrast to Valjean’s acceptance of grace, however, is the figure of Police Constable Javert, who relentlessly pursues this parole breaker. His understanding of the law is very one sided. He only understands judgment and penalty with no room for forgiveness and grace. And this distorted view of life and the law ultimately leads to his demise.
There are numerous other characters and stories contained within the Show.
Fantine A solo mother, used and rejected by her wealthy boyfriend, driven into selling herself through prostitution when she is wrongfully dismissed from her job.
Cossette Fantine’s daughter, who is rescued from slavery by Valjean and eventually grows up and falls in love with Marius, a student from a Paris Revolution.
Eponine A daughter of dishonest and manipulative Innkeepers who longs for a better life and risks her all for the one she loves.
We are also introduced to a harsh Prison system of the day, to the wretched poor of industrialised Paris, and to the crime and immorality that is fostered by an uncaring Government. There are also the idealistic students who believe that Revolution via guns and barricades is the only way to change their world and transform society.
Yes, there are a huge number of stories told, played out as people respond to the various circumstances of their lives.
Well, so much for my personal reflections and recent journey
And - the background to the story of ‘Les- Mis’
Now, what I’d like to do, is touch on a few words, and issues, that we all face, in our lives, and that are faced within this Show, and see if we can find appropriate challenges and responses to them.
And I’ll go over each of these reasonably briefly, as I have three topics to consider. They all begin with B. And they are as follows:
1. Our Beliefs – what we do and how we live will always be as a response to our beliefs.
2. Our Battles – we all face battles and struggles; how do we face these?
Do we face them by building up Barricades and Barriers? Or do we tear them down?
And then thirdly –
3. We can choose to respond to life’s difficulties with Bitterness or with Brokenness. What’s our choice. Because the answer to that will determine the shape of our …… New Beginnings – each day offers us the hope of a new beginning. What sort of new beginning do we want?
So then, Firstly, Beliefs
What we believe is crucial. It will determine our response to life’s issues. It will determine our eternal influence, our eternal destiny.
Our Pastor, Peter, has preached on this numerous times – that as a people wanting to follow God’s way, we must be sure that we engage our brains – that we form a Biblical perspective of life’s challenges – that we allow God to transform us, as we are reminded in Romans 12 vs 2, by the “Renewing of our Minds”. That we put ourselves in places where we will hear and learn of God’s truth, and that we will apply it in daily discipline and obedience to Him.
The reading we had earlier from Deuteronomy 6 – is about loving the Lord our God. But we are also reminded there of how we are to Love God, and it is – by Understanding God’s Word, His Commandments, His Teaching.
And by following this (read some verses)
It sounds simple I know, but it’s crucially important. Are we feeding our minds with sound Biblical truths?? Are we encouraging others in these truths? (vs 7)
We probably can’t emphasise too greatly, can we, the importance of what we believe?
It will determine our future – both in this life, and the next.
One of the classic stories of ‘Les-Miserables’ is the different beliefs held by Valjean and Javert – around the subject of The Law and Grace.
Javert’s belief could perhaps simplistically be described as ‘Old Testament’ in nature. He believed the Law had to be followed and obeyed to the letter, and if broken a penalty was to be paid. No excuses. No exceptions. No forgiveness. No Grace.
Valjean, on the other hand, had suffered for 19 bitter years at the hands of the Law, and believed he had little hope for the future. But he wonderfully found Mercy and Love at the hands of a Godly Bishop.
He had believed that his past would always determine his future, but through a gracious encounter, he came to believe that God could erase and cleanse his past and give him a fresh start.
Javert continued in his false belief around the Law, and ultimately paid the price. He didn’t understand the truth of Ephesians Ch 2, as read earlier, especially vs 8.
Valjean’s new belief and understanding from a Godly and Biblical perspective freed him for a life of service, and eternal salvation.
Beliefs – they are of eternal importance. Let us train ourselves to learn and believe the Truth.
Secondly, Battles
There are plenty of battles in the story of ‘Les-Miserables’. There are battles between Legalism and Love, between The Poor and The Privileged. Between the Students and the Army, between the Abused and the Abusers. Between the Caring and the Uncaring.
In some battles, right wins out. Valjean becomes a changed man, builds a factory, houses the sick, feeds the poor.
In some stories, evil wins. The poor remain poor. The downtrodden are kept low. Fantine and others die in sad circumstance.
Yes, life is full of Battles and Challenges. Most of which we won’t avoid. But we can choose how we’ll fight them.
And perhaps we should remember just two things when it comes to fighting the battles in life:
Firstly, do we have our Spiritual Armour on? As outlined in Ephesians Ch 6 (which I won’t detail here). In other words, ‘Are we Spiritually Prepared?’
And secondly, in fighting our battles, are we going to put up Barricades and Barriers, or are we going to tear them down?
In other words, what/who are we Trusting in, as we face the battles and Trials of Life?
The Students of the Revolution in ‘Les-Miserables’ trusted in Guns and Weapons. They erected Barricades as a show of Defiance against their foe, as a place where they could hide and find protection, fight and make their stand.
BUT the problem is – Barricades and Barriers are largely defensive in nature. They limit your fighting opportunities, and lessen your chances of victory. You may be able to hide and fight for a while at the Barricades, but in order to truly win a Battle, you have to leave the protection of a Barricade, and fight on open ground.
Well, it’s quite likely that in our lives, we also get used to putting up Barricades to protect us from the Battles of life.
Barricades and Barriers, borne of Fear, Insecurity, Inferiority, Worry and Anxiety. Our Self-Protection Devices – we put on masks to hide the real us. We deal superficially with others. Afraid to show who we really are.
As someone once wrote – “Why am I afraid to show you who I really am? I’m afraid that if I show you the real me and you don’t like it, then I have nowhere else to go – because that’s all I’ve got. And your not liking me will devastate me”.
Well, I believe, and the Bible teaches, that God wants us to tear down our man-made and feeble Barriers. And put our Trust once more in Him – and fight with our Spiritual Armour on and with Faith in God – ‘Out in the Open Ground’.
The Battles of Life, and Barricades we erect, can be Barriers to our Trusting in God.
What’s our response to this?
So, if we understand...
(1) Our Beliefs and how important they are
and
(2) We consider how we fight our Battles, and our use of Barricades.
Then, finally, let’s consider:
3. In the struggles and difficulties of Life, we often also have a choice between Bitterness or Brokenness. And our response to this will determine the shape of our new Beginnings.
In the story of ‘Les-Miserables’, after 19 years in prison, Valjean couldn’t find work as an ex-convict. He was angry, inward looking, unforgiving, and bitter. Hating the world and all that was in it. And he could have stayed that way, as sadly many people choose to. Blaming the world for their circumstance. Angry and Bitter. Forever a Victim.
BUT an encounter with a Priest, who he first tries to rob, but who then forgives and helps him, forces Valjean to look at his response to his life’s circumstance.
And in the face of unconditional Love, Forgiveness, Acceptance and Grace – his icy heart is melted.
His embittered heart is broken in the kindest of ways. He acknowledges the Love he is offered. Allows his defences to be shattered. And he finds hope in a Spiritual Rebirth.
Yes, Valjean finds a completely New Beginning and purpose in life.
Now, in contrast to this – later on Javert, when faced with similar Forgiveness and Love, offered by Valjean, refuses to accept it. He becomes embittered that an ex-convict has found greater meaning in Life than all his good works, and Legalism, have done for him. He refuses to let his heart be broken or melted. His Bitterness remains. And the New Beginning that he faces, is a death devoid of Grace and Love. As he takes his own life.
When Life’s Battles and Trials, Pains and Suffering come our way, as they most surely will, we won’t always find the circumstance to be joyful, pleasant or victorious.
Suffering, Hardship and Difficulty are just as much a part of Life as Success, Winning and Overcoming.
Just this week, Jo Parish sent out an email from the daughter of Doctor Gary Parrett on the subject of Suffering. And I’ll quote from this:
“It seems that in the American evangelical world, we know very little about lament. We much prefer the happy sayings and the happy songs. We like things to be tied up nicely and neatly. We prefer our theology to be bite-sized; slogans that fit easily on a tee-shirt or a bumper sticker are best. We particularly dislike any display of discouragement or depression on a Sunday morning. Each Lord’s Day, we ask the hurting among us to “pull themselves together” and rise with us to sing “songs of faith” in praise to the Lord. We muzzle the mouths of the downcast. After all, we reason, we are called to “rejoice always”. But Scripture tells us also to “weep with those who weep”. For, after all, there is much in our world that calls for lament”.
Again, it’s about being real before God and one another in the face of Life’s real problems.
So what is crucial here is that we don’t ignore Suffering, Pain or Lament. It must be acknowledged, felt and worked through.
But also crucial is that we know how to let it touch us. We can allow Life’s Pain and Suffering to harden and embitter us, or with all the honesty and openness possible, say, “Lord, use this circumstance to draw me closer to You. To allow me to be broken in the most gentle of ways. And to once more begin to find my meaning, purpose – and eventually a new-found quiet and inner Joy with You”.
Yes, our choice of Bitterness or Brokenness, will determine the New Beginnings, and possibilities that we will face.
So to summarise:
Firstly,...
...Do we know the crucial importance of what it is that we believe?
And are we like Valjean, eager to embrace Grace in our lives, as necessary, for Salvation, for strength to live each day, and to find the purpose and calling that God has for our Lives?
Secondly,
As we confront the Battles and Challenges that will inevitably come our way in Life...
...Will we firstly be sure we have our Spiritual Armour on, and then fight and work, trusting in God, out in the open ground, being real before Him, and others – tearing down the Barricades and Barriers that we often erect as a feeble attempt to keep ourselves safe?
God longs for intimacy with us. And for our relationships with others to be meaningful, we must show the real us.
We need to take the Barricades down.
And finally,...
...in Life’s Trials and Troubles, and in the midst of Pain, Disappointment and Lament, will we again be honest before God. Not allowing our hurts and sadness to cause us to become bitter – but better – will we allow God to gently break and melt our stubborn hearts, finding Joy and Peace in our Trust of Him? Will we choose Brokenness over Bitterness? Leading to the Hope of a New Beginning each day with Christ?
Let us Pray.
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