The movie “Les Miserables” (2012 edition) opened yesterday, Christmas Day.  We went to see it today.  It was such an experience!*   It is a beautiful gift for Christmas, a rare jewel of a movie.

 

Woven into the tapestry of this masterpiece are threads of golden truth, truths that are found, though perhaps too often overlooked by us in practice, in the Holy Word of God.

 

Here are Scriptural themes in this timeless story:

 

MERCY

 

“Mercy triumphs over judgment”  (James 2:13)   Therefore, Christians are to be “ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.  For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  (2 Cor 3:6)  Who followed the letter of the law and who followed the essence of His Spirit?   God is love.  (1 John 4:8)

 

“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”  (Matt 12:7) (Words of the Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ) (Also see Matt 9:13)  Who was the guiltless?  Who condemned?

 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”  (Matt 5:7)  (Words of the LORD Jesus Christ)  In the end, who received mercy?

 

 

KINDNESS

 

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness…” (Col 3:12)  Who acted with true compassion and in kindness?

 

“Be kind…”  (Eph 4:32)    (2 Tim 2:24) (Gal 5: 22)  God often uses seemingly small acts of kindness for His bigger purposes.

 

FORGIVENESS

 

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”  (Mark 11:25) (Words of the LORD Jesus Christ)  Who extended forgiveness?

 

GOD’S  GOODNESS

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  (Romans 8:28)

 

It is this last verse of Scripture that kept me going with hope through my own despondent days.  By faith in His word and confidence in God’s goodness, I knew that my suffering had a purpose and plan in a bigger picture.  Now on the other side of that suffering, I can look back and see that God does indeed work all things together for my good!

 

Certainly, Jean Valjean displays God working good out of the evil that is sin.  With the help of Jesus Christ, may we all play a part in disposing evil with goodness!  May we reach out to the lost and hurting as God reached out to us!

 

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy… (Titus 3:4-5)   Yes!  Jesus Christ died for us while we were yet sinners!  (Romans 5:8)

 

May the Spirit of the LORD motivate you for good through this movie.

 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD A COMMENT  on a Scripture that comes to your mind after experiencing “Les Miserables”.

 

*There are a few fleeting scenes that display the vulgarity of the street life.  The show is not intended for young children and rated PG-13.