Last evening, I went with my son, Jonathan, and over two dozen students from his high school to see Les Misèrables at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. I've never seen "Les Mis," as it is affectionally known by those "in the know." I wasn't even very familiar with the story line, as it turns out. I was in for a treat
I won't take time to go over the entire plot; you can do that on your own, if you've never seen this grand production. Jean Valjean, a man done a great injustice and in turn, commits an injustice, is the featured character. His chief antagonist, Jolvert, is a man driven by the law. He wants only justice and knows no mercy. Valjean, is shown a great mercy and from that moment on, determines to change his life and show justice and mercy to the poor and downtrodden. Mercy and forgiveness shine throughout.
I'm not sure I could classify this as a "Christian" story in any true sense of the word. Yes, there are Christian themes throughout. Yet the one most noticeably missing is Christ Himself. Oh sure, He's mentioned very briefly, but not in any true gospel sense. Nevertheless, the story is compelling.