Can people change?
In one of the memorable scenes in Les Miserables, the police inspector Javert confronts the former thief and prisoner Jean Valjean, who has now become a respected local mayor. But Javert cannot accept that Valjean has changed, and so sings: “A man like you can never change, a man… such as you… Men like you can never change. No, 24601…” (which was Valjean’s prison number). That is one of the many Christian themes taken up in the musical: can people change?
Christians do believe in a gospel of change; not that we can change ourselves on our own, but that God himself can and does change us. As Paul reminds Titus, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures… [But God] saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:3-5).
And what brings about that change? Quite simply, “The kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared” (v4). What changed Valjean was the kindness of a bishop who refused to press charges when the police arrested Valjean for stealing his silver; the bishop even pressed more silver on him. Similarly, it is the kindness, love and mercy of God that will change us. People can change: other people can change, and we ourselves can change further, thanks to God’s mercy and renewal by his Spirit.