Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Letters of the love

Saturday, March 8, 2008

John 7:45-49
The people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"

"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.

"You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. "Has any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law--there is a curse on them."

(Note: if you don't want to know the ending of "Les Miserables", stop right here.)

They're standing on the banks of the Seine in the middle of Paris, and there's nothing romantic going on. Javert's pistol caresses Jean Valjean's neck, and its thick barrel points into his chin. Valjean is in handcuffs and expects to be taken to jail.

Javert speaks. "I'm glad I had time alone. I needed to think about what you deserve. You're a difficult problem." He gestures toward the water. Move to the edge."

Valjean looks at the river and back to Javert: "Why aren't you taking me in?"

Javert: "You're my prisoner. Do what I tell you! You don't understand the importance of the law. I've given you an order. Now obey it!"

Valjean obeys his captor. Javert continues, "Why didn't you kill me?"

Valjean: "I don't have the right to kill you."

Javert: "But you hate me."

Valjean, slowly: "I don't hate you." ...

Javert turns Valjean's face toward him with the pistol. "I'm going to spare you from a life in prison, Jean Valjean. It's a pity the rules don't allow me to be merciful.

"I've tried to live my life without breaking a single rule." Javert's eyes turn inward. He is about to break the law. He turns Valjean a bit more, pulls out a key and unlocks the handcuffs holding his prisoner.

"You're free."

No more words. But in his last allegiance to the letter of the law, Javert cuffs himself, tips backward over the river, and falls in. He doesn't come up.

He too is free.

Nothing but the example of the man he'd hunted all his adult life could have broken Javert's utter commitment to the law. Valjean had the chance to kill his pursuer and didn't, thereby sacrificing his own freedom. In this miracle of mercy, Javert finally saw a higher law than the one he followed, the one he had memorized and taken blood oaths to uphold.

Of course Javert was an honorable man. But he was the one cursed, not Jean. Like the Pharisees, he lost sight of God. The shallowness of his life was put to shame by the joyful, generous gestures of Jean Valjean, this former criminal rescued by the mercy of a country priest.

Jesus knows the power of his acts to change the lives of men. He prays for every chance to do so. He knows his Father's heart is full of love. When the Pharisees refuse to see this plain and simple truth, Jesus shakes the dust off his sandals and turns away. He is here to bring life to the lifeless, and he will not be denied.

Lord, even though we've been dead for years, you can breathe on us, and we will live. Thank you.

Devotions Archive

Letters of the love

Saturday, March 8, 2008