Summary: “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. I love it because there are so many profound theological insights to be gleaned. You’re probably familiar with the story - as a young French boy, Jean Valjean steals bread to feed his starving family. He is caught and imprisoned for 19 years. Upon his release, he is shown kindness from several strangers and he goes on to live a remarkable life. He becomes a Christ-follower... a force for good in the world. Yet he finds it difficult to escape his dark past. Throughout the story there are those who refuse to forgive the past, and there are those who give grace. Valjean becomes a man of grace, but he is tormented by his former prison guard, Javert. Aren’t you thankful that we serve a God of grace? A God who longs to give us “new life” and a fresh start? The Bible says that if we come to Him and ask for His forgiveness He “remembers our sins no more.” If we call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ, we should have the same willingness to overlook people’s dark pasts when they repent, to lavish grace, to overlook faults, and to help bring others into a new life that doesn’t forever dwell on past wrongdoings. Will you give grace to those you encounter? And, will you tell them of the grace of God that He wants to extend to them too?
