SERMON: We are ‘witnesses^’ of these things.

After witnessing the risen Jesus, Peter was transformed. Alongside John, he healed a man who had been lame from birth, and now Peter, using the strongest language, pointed his finger at those around him, denouncing their unjust treatment of Jesus just a few weeks earlier. Those within Peter’s view were not merely individuals; Peter is implying a collective blame, a concerted action of the community, including the religious authorities: you handed over, you rejected, you asked for a murderer, you killed. To preach such a sermon in front of Jews, who had hunted him down, killed him, and even plotted against Peter and his companions, can only be explained by the transformative experience of the resurrection, the act of rising from the dead. Living with faith-filled eyes and seeing God’s work, such people’s steps are indeed dignified.

The resurrection is an event of meeting someone anew. In a moment when all seems lost, when there is nothing left and no hope, Jesus appears in front of them, and they discover someone new. They walk along the road, sharing past hopes and present despair with a stranger. God’s word is easily unpacked, and their hearts are warmed, and they welcome the stranger to ‘eat with us’ in mutual comfort. And in the moment of breaking bread and drinking the cup together, they encounter the risen Jesus.

In today’s gospel passage, Jesus greets the disciples with the familiar words, “Peace be with you,” and encourages them to look at and touch his wounds. Then, through his physical presence, his words, his touch, and sharing a meal with him, the disciples come to the realisation, “Aha, this is truly Jesus.” At that moment, their hearts are opened to his words, and their doubts and fears are replaced with joy. They were not seeing a ghost or an apparition!

The risen Christ, who overcame the power of death and led them to life, opened the disciples’ hearts to Scripture, shined light into darkness, spoke truth into delusion, and breathed peace into hatred and fear, and they were transformed. This is the power of the resurrection. The disciples encountered Jesus anew. Looking at it, the times we wander through the maze of sorrow and despair in life are prime opportunities to meet God, who wishes to accompany us.

We turn to the thoughtful story of transformation in Victor Hugo’s acclaimed 1862 classic novel, “Les Misérables.” Famous worldwide and especially loved in Australia as a long-standing musical adaptation, this story is set against the backdrop of social and political upheaval following the French Revolution of 1832. During this desperate time, a church bishop’s display of God’s mercy and love becomes the cornerstone for the protagonist, Jean Valjean’s rebirth. This story is intertwined with the gospel message of resurrection,’ portraying a tale of redemption, love, and transformation into a new life.

Jean Valjean, imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s children, is finally freed but finds himself unwelcomed by society, marked by a yellow passport as a criminal. Struggling to find shelter and food, he meets the Bishop of Digne during this desperate time. With Christ-like hospitality and love, the bishop offers him shelter and a meal. But, what do you know, Valjean steals the bishop’s silver plate and flees, only to be captured by the police and brought back to the bishop’s residence. The bishop then confronts him, saying, “Aha, there you are!” I’m glad to see you. But it seems you forgot I gave you the candlesticks as well, which are made of silver, just like the rest, and would bring two hundred francs. Why didn’t you take them along with the plates?”

After the officers left, the bishop turned towards Valjean, who stood there in shock, the stolen silver in his hands. “Jean Valjean, my brother,” the bishop said softly, reaching out to touch his shoulder, ” Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man… Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!”

However, Valjean is bewildered by this act of mercy and grace, but he is unmoved. Like Judas, he leaves with the newly acquired silver. On his way out of Digne, a young boy drops a coin in front of Valjean. Valjean covers the coin with his foot, refuses to return it to the boy, and instead threatens to make him leave. After the boy departs, something deep in Valjean’s soul begins to stir. It is a storm of guilt. He bursts into tears, and a light grows brighter and brighter in his heart as the Bishop’s radiant figure and his words fill his wretched soul. It is an indescribable, extraordinary light, and at the same time, he sees his past life, his first sin, his hardened heart, the scenes in the bishop’s house, and the coin he took from the boy flash before his eyes like a film; and he sees a warm, soft light, like nothing he has ever seen before, like the light of heaven; and Jean Valjean is born again.

How was this story? This story is truly powerful! As God’s children, we are witnesses of this; overcoming the dominion of death and being led into life, journeying alongside the risen Christ. Like the disciples, He will open our minds to the Scriptures, shine light into darkness, make us know the truth, and give peace for hatred, bitterness, and fear, and we will be transformed. We will become witnesses to the change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins that Jesus told His disciples to proclaim—a life being renovated from the inside out.

Listen to the one promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the promise of life offered by the prophet Ezekiel: “I will renovate your lives from the inside out and give you a new heart and new spirit. I will remove your stone-cold hearts and replace them with hearts of healthy flesh. I will put my spirit inside you, to give you a passion for following my ways and a commitment to doing what I say. Then … you will be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:25-38) All glory, praise, and honour be to the One who revealed it through His living Word, read with loving eyes. Amen.