The story centers around a British ex-convict in the early 1800s named
Jean Valjean. Jean has been released from prison where he’s spent 19 years of
hard labor for stealing a piece for bread to feed his starving sister. Upon his
release, a priest takes him in. Jean’s evil ways continue as he chooses to
steal silver from Bishop Myriel. Authorities catch up with Jean Valjean and
bring him back to Bishop Myriel with the stolen goods. In one of the most
compelling moments of the movie, Bishop Myriel convinces the police that the
items were not stolen, rather he gave them to Jean. As the police stand in
bewilderment, Myriel directs his wife to get their silver candlesticks to add
to Jean’s bag. After the police leave, Bishop Myriel and Jean Valjean have this
very powerful exchange:
Bishop Myriel: “Now don't forget, don't ever forget,
you've promised to become a new man.”
Jean Valjean: “Promise? Wha, Why are you doing this?”
Bishop Myriel: “Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.”
I have to admit
that when I watch that scene in the movie, I have mixed emotions. Viewing it through
the eyes of Bishop Myriel, my heart responds to his actions with, “Dude, that’s
ridiculous! Why would you open your home to him? Then he steals from you and
you don’t have him hanged? What? You gave him more stuff? No mercy, Bishop. Give
him justice!” But something shifts when I view the story from the eyes of Jean
Valjean. My heart melts for Jean. Grace and mercy seem to have this freeing
power as unconditional love is expressed to him. Jean Valjean: “Promise? Wha, Why are you doing this?”
Bishop Myriel: “Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.”
I think that’s the
nature of grace and mercy. It’s both ridiculous and powerful. When God gives
his people grace or mercy, it makes no sense yet it seems to have the capacity
to make a dynamic impact on them.
Each year, the
Israelites celebrated the most holy of days on their calendar. It was the Day
of Atonement, known today as Yom Kippur. This day came ten days after their New
Year and followed nine days of reflection, confession, and repentance. The Day
of Atonement was to be a day of judgment on sin, a day when wrath would be
exercised on what was unforgiven. But God placed two goats between the people
and the impeding judgment on their rebellious sin. One goat would be slaughtered
on the altar and the sins of the people would be placed on the head of that
goat. The second goat would be driven into the wilderness as a symbol of God
banishing their sin from the people. This and many other things were done year
after year to atone for the sins of the people. But, when Jesus entered the
process, “every year” turned to “once and for all.”
But now,
once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove
sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes
judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a
sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal
with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews
9.26-28 NLT
The truth of the matter is that we all have stood—caught with our bag of stolen silver—deserving judgment and punishment. But Mercy has come in the person of Jesus Christ. He has stepped between us and punishment. We can enter the Day of Atonement with joy and thanksgiving. Perhaps Jesus would rewrite Bishop Myriel’s powerful line this way:
My brothers and sisters, you no longer belong to evil. With my blood, I
have bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now you
belong to God.
Spend some time this week reading Psalm 103. This is a beautiful, worshipful response to God’s ridiculous mercy given to us.
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