I recently caught part of the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert on Public Television. Yes, it took me back to having seen the stage musical live in Philadelphia and having enjoyed the 10th anniversary concert more than once. It also took me to Libya where this week people are dying in hopes of ushering in a better world. It took me to Egypt where people are asking, where is the new world for which we fought? It took me back to the anti-war and civil rights movements of the sixties in this country.
I could go on and on remembering those who have died some with courage, some in desperation, seeking a new and better world. With its marvelous music, Les Miserables has captured not only a specific moment in French history, it has captured a deep longing in human hearts in all times and all places. The Israelites enslaved in Egypt cried out to God, and God sent them Moses. The Jews captive in Babylon and Persia cried out to God, and God sent them Nehemiah. Humanity cries out to God, and God sent us Jesus.
But Jesus does not lead us to the successful but temporary overthrow of tyrants. Jesus calls us to a truly new world, a world we can begin to live in even as we hope for it’s ultimate and eternal triumph. I ache with those who die for their efforts to bring the new world. I just about lost it emotionally watching the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert. I believe this longing is the hunger deep in the human heart for the Kingdom of God announced by Jesus.
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