A F S AT E - Ross Wakeley's...
Transcript of A F S AT E - Ross Wakeley's...
A FRESH START AT EASTER
Happy Easter from Chaplain Ross Wakeley
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Based on Victor Hugo’s
novel, "Les Misérables"
is the story of a released
prisoner 24601 — Jean
Valjean. It’s 19th century
France, and he’s been in prison for 19 years after
he stole a loaf of bread
for his starving family.
Jean Valjean is free on parole,
but starving. A caring bishop
invites him into his home.
“You are welcome. Everything
here is yours.” Valjean’s life
has taught him to survive,
so he steals the bishop’s silver.
The French gendarmes catch
Valjean and bring him to the
kind bishop, and accuse him of robbery. Prison looks near!
The Bishop shocks everyone, Valjean most of all, by telling the
gendarmes he had given the silver to Valjean. Then he also gives him
the silver candlesticks.
“Remember this my
brother: see in this some higher plan.
You must use this
precious silver to
become an honest
man. I have raised
you out of darkness,
I have bought your
soul for God.”
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His life is changed forever
through the generosity and
grace shown to him by the
bishop who shows him the
reality of Jesus’ love, grace
to have a fresh start in life. Years later, as a respectable
mayor, he is chased by
Javert, a ruthless police
inspector whose identity is
consumed with justice and
he believes the only way
we get right with God is
through following the Law.
However, we all know that the law
leads to frustration and death, but
God’s amazing grace leads to a fresh
start, plus a life of selflessness and
hope as Jean Valjean discovers.
Hunted by Javert, we see Valjean
give up his comfortable life to see
justice done when another man is
falsely accused of being him. He
rescues a woman from death on
the streets and takes her daughter—
Cosette—into his protection. He
risks his life to save young Marius, who’s fallen in love with Cosette.
I AM THE LAW
This story reaches a climax
when Jean Valjean has the
opportunity to kill Javert—
the man who’s been his life-
long persecutor.
Valjean does what Javert
would never expect. He
gives him freedom and a
fresh start. He shows love
and grace to his tormentor. I SET YOU FREE
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He dies praying to God: “Take my hand, and lead me to salvation.
Take my love, for love is everlasting. And remember, the truth that
once was spoken: to love another person is to see the face of God.”
Jean Valjean’s life shows how God enables us to have a fresh start.
Les Miserables is a classic story with beautiful themes about mercy,
forgiveness and redemption. But there’s more...
Hugh Jackman played the role of Jean Valjean. His inspiration for
the film (and his life), is his dad. “Without him, I wouldn’t be where
I am today. Without him, I wouldn’t have had an inspiration for my
role in Les Misérables. Dad underwent the same kind of life-
changing experience that my character undergoes in the film.
Valjean steals artefacts from a bishop, is caught by the police, but in an act of
supreme kindness, is allowed by the
bishop to keep the artefacts and sell
them. The incident transforms his life,
he becomes a respected town mayor.
Dad converted to become a Christian
by evangelist Dr Billy Graham, when
he was 30 years old, and underwent
a life-changing epiphany, too.
I thought about that constantly when I
was playing Valjean, I tried to inject as
much of Dad’s goodness and change of life into the character I was playing.”
In a closing scene of
the movie, Jean Valjean
is dying, and he writes
a letter to Cosette—
On this page I write my last confession. It’s the
story of one who turned
from hating. A man who
only learned to love when
you were in his keeping.
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Easter confronts us with reality.
Jesus Christ died—willingly—on a
Cross, to give every person a fresh
start. This was a truth that Jesus
spoke of months before it occurred
in Jerusalem.
Jesus says, “Even the Son of Man
(his title for himself) did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
On the Cross, Jesus—God in human form—was choosing to die for us.
What did Jesus’ death achieve?
About thirty years later, Paul—a man who experienced his own unique
fresh start from Jesus—summed up
an answer in this passage:
Isn’t the story of Les Misérables so powerful. I was in tears during
the final song by Jean Valjean. God delights to give every person a
fresh start, which brings me to the Easter story.
“When God our Saviour revealed his kindness and “When God our Saviour revealed his kindness and
love, he saved us, not because of the righteous love, he saved us, not because of the righteous
things we had done, but because of his mercy. things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth
and new life through the Holy Spirit.and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously He generously
poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ
our Saviour. Because of his grace he declared us our Saviour. Because of his grace he declared us
righteous and gave us confidence that we will righteous and gave us confidence that we will
inherit eternal life.” inherit eternal life.” ( Titus 3:4( Titus 3:4--7) Living Bible7) Living Bible
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Saul was off to Damascus, determined to put to death Christians in
that city. He was violently opposed to anyone following Jesus.
Jesus appeared supernaturally to Saul on the
road to Damascus, and Saul was immediately
blinded as Jesus called him by name.
Jesus knew all
about Saul’s life. He fell to the ground and heard a voice
say, “Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, who you are persecuting,”
he replied. “Now get up and go into
the city. I’ve handpicked you...I’m sending you off to open the eyes
of people so they can see the difference between dark and light, and
choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose
God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who
begin real living by believing in me.” Acts 9:4-6, 26:15-18 (Message)
Jerusalem in AD35 was a turbulent
place to live. Over 500 people had
seen Jesus Christ alive after He was
crucified. The religious leaders were
actively persecuting anyone who was
a disciple of Jesus—they killed them.
A passionate campaigner to eradicate
the Christ-followers was Saul—one of
the smartest of the religious leaders.
“I couldn’t just walk away from a vision like
that! I became an obedient believer on the
spot. I started preaching this life-change—
this radical turn to God and everything it
meant in everyday life—in Damascus, went
on to Jerusalem and from there to the whole world.” Acts 26:19,20 (Message)
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However, it was the early disciples of Jesus—Peter, Mary Magdalene,
John, Mary, Andrew and thousands of other people—who first hand
experienced Jesus giving them a personal fresh start.
“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. When you’re
joined with me and I with you, the relationship intimate, the harvest
is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.
If you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at
home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened
to and acted upon. I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me.
Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands,
you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. I’ve named you friends
because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.”
John 15:4-15 (The Message)
Saul was radically impacted by
supernaturally meeting Jesus.
He changed his name to Paul
and God empowered him to
passionately share the good
news about Jesus Christ in all
of his talking; genuine acts of
kindness and the supernatural
healing of people.
Paul experienced Jesus’ love.
In every interaction
with Jesus, he lived
unconditional love.
To each person who is
overwhelmed by pain,
failure, suffering or
feels defeated, Jesus
comes to us with the
relentless tenderness
of his grace.
Let Jesus speak to you.
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JESUS IS A GOOD FRIEND We’ve all been a bad friend at some point.
Maybe we’ve taken advantage of
friends or been short with them
or simply not been there when
needed. And we’ve probably
experienced that as well.
But Jesus is a good friend. In
fact, he’s a perfect friend. And
even when we’re horrible friends
to him, he’s always a good
friend to us.
Jesus is such a good friend and we’re often bad friends to him.
He knew the only way to save
our friendship was to die for our
sins—and he did so willingly.
Because of Jesus’ death on the
cross, we have the opportunity
to become friends with Jesus. And as w
As we do so, we learn some
amazing things about him.im.
As a good friend, Jesus loves
us better than we could ever
love him, love others—or even
love ourselves.
As a good friend, Jesus guides
us, empowering us to live and
be loved by him in a way that brings glory to God and life–
changing fulfillment to us.
As a good friend, Jesus for-
gives us our sin though we
don’t deserve it—sacrificing
his life so that we can live.
As a good friend, Jesus is fun,
having enjoyed parties and
time with his friends.
As a good friend, Jesus
listens. He prays for us when
he hears our prayers. He deeply cares about what is
happening in our lives.
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During the years of abuse, God enabled me to forgive, find security in
Jesus’ love and keep going. The boss didn’t change his behaviour, so
I left my job for 3 months unemployed. It wasn’t an easy time of life.
And then, God opened the ‘door’ for my fresh start as a Chaplain
with BCS. Initially it was half time as Chaplain in Kariong: a maximum
security prison. That was “God’s classroom” for me!
God gives ME a “fresh
start.” 2000-08, I had a
fantastic work role that
involved me equipping
Christians in Philippines,
NZ, Indonesia and around Australia. Over the years,
thousands of people came.
I was also responsible for running big
conferences with international speakers
in Australia’s capital cities. My role was
a real privilege.
But there was another side to it all.
I also faced manipulation, emotional
abuse and harassment from my boss.
It wasn’t long before I was full-time and now my
work is all community chaplaincy (which I love).
Incredibly, God went further. In November 2009,
following an ‘out-of-the-blue’ invitation, Jan and
I had ten days equipping people in Cambodia. In
June we’ll return for our 3rd trip (we pay to help) and our role is running parenting seminars; work
with pastors/leaders, etc. Plus, I’m part of the
BCS chaplaincy family (here we are late in 2012).
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How does that relate to me?
There is a war going on in our head in
which Satan speaks tempting lies that will
rob us from a fresh start and being secure
in God’s love. You and I have a choice:
Listen to deception or believe in the truth
that Jesus says to us. He gives us real life.
Jesus highlighted a key truth in the stories you read in this booklet
and the life stories YOU have experienced. What occurs for us all in
our everyday life is due to two different realms that interact on the
decisions we make. What are these realms?
1. The visible natural realm: the world we see and people we
relate with. Often, we’re carrying “baggage” from stuff earlier
in our life. Stuff like shame, negative self talk, our failures, etc.
2. The invisible spiritual realm: unseen by our eyes are angels,
demons and an evil power the Bible names as Satan. His agenda
is only to rob away real life. To lie, speak condemnation into our
spirit and deceive us. To feed temptation into our mind. We’ve all
been down that road and know we get ‘ripped off’ by Satan.
Jesus said: “Satan was a killer from the very start. He couldn’t stand
the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the
Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world
with lies.” John 8:43-45 (The Message)
In this photo of Lake
Parramatta, we can
see the real—trees
and water.
There’s a reflection—
but we can’t touch it
as it shows what is
just out of our reach.
1. The visible
natural realm
2. The invisible
spiritual realm
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Jesus had this inner battle with Satan throughout his 33 years on
earth—but he never believed or acted on the lies. How? Jesus is far
more powerful than the majority of people of his time realised.
Jesus’ death and resurrection shows us
both God’s absolute power to transform
what looks like a hopeless situation and
his total domination over Satan.
Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is He existed before anything was created and is
supreme over all creation. Through him God created supreme over all creation. Through him God created
everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we He made the things we can see and the things we
can’t seecan’t see——such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and
authorities in the unseen world. Everything was authorities in the unseen world. Everything was
created through him and for him. He existed before created through him and for him. He existed before
anything else, and he holds all creation together. anything else, and he holds all creation together.
Colossians 1:15Colossians 1:15--17 (Living Bible)17 (Living Bible)
As they took
Jesus’ body
off the Cross,
his mother
Mary and
John (one of his disciples)
could have
thought:
“It’s all over”.
They buried
him: with no
hope in their
heart. Sunday
was coming!
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POWERFUL FRIEND Jesus is a powerful friend. The Bible speaks of Jesus as a King.
As a powerful friend, Jesus is
the King of all creation—and
he’s establishing his kingdom:
here on earth as it is in heaven.
This means that nothing is out
of the influence of Jesus and
everything is subject to him.
As a powerful friend, Jesus has
conquered Satan, sin, and
death. Jesus died on the cross
for our sins and rose from
death in victory. He is alive and
well! And Jesus is coming back
to forever destroy evil.
For those with faith in Jesus,
there is no need to fear as
Satan has no power over us,
sin is no longer in control of
us and our sins are forgiven.
Death is not the end, but the
beginning of real life with Jesus.
As a powerful friend, Jesus
leads his church through the
Holy Spirit. He invites people
into friendship. He takes us out of sin and shame into freedom
and forgiveness. He creates
community in which people
serve others and the world.
As a powerful friend, Jesus is
generous. He gives forgiveness
and grace freely to all who ask,
having given his own life to provide it. He also gives us his
Holy Spirit, who empowers us
as Christians to live in Jesus’
victory and strength.
Acknowledgement: “Friend” content—Mars Hill church, USA
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I ask God to strengthen you by his Spirit—a glorious inner strength—
that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And
I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to
take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of
Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length!
Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you
know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in
your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by
working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Ephesians 3:15-20 (The Message)
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you
are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has
risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then
go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is
going ahead of you into Galilee.’ Matthew 28:1-7
The resurrected Jesus overcame
death and Satan. He is triumphant!
Jesus has total power and love to
help us have fresh starts in our life.
If we are carrying “baggage”, we can
bring it all to God and admit, “I can’t
fix this God. Forgive me. Release me. Give me a fresh start.” He will.
At dawn on the first day of the
week, Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary went to look at
the tomb. There was a violent
earthquake, for an angel of
the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the
tomb, rolled back the stone
and sat on it. His clothes were
white as snow. The guards
were so afraid of him that
they shook and became like
dead men.
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John says, “The village was supposed to be empty, and the
bombs were supposed to hit the bunkers just outside of town.
It wasn’t until the day after the
strike that I saw Kim’s picture
and realized what had actually
happened.” John saw the photo
and was haunted by images of
the naked burning child, terrified
and running, her flesh afire with
3rd degree burns. He’d done that!
He spent 24 years looking for Kim
Phuc to say “I’m sorry”. Incredibly,
GOD was at work in both of them.
Kim Phuc was nine
years old on June 8,
1972, when her village,
in South Vietnam was
bombed. Burned by
napalm, she ran down
the road screaming in
fear and pain. The media
captured this moment
of war's horror; Kim’s
picture was published
around the world.
Pilot John Plummer dropped
the napalm on Kim’s village.
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John Plummer returned home a broken man—he ignored God,
took up drink, got divorced and left his four children. Several
years later he met Joanne who led him to Christ and a fresh
start. In 1990 he became a pastor—still waiting to say “sorry”.
In June 1996, John saw a TV news story about Kim. He learned
she was to speak on the Vietnam War in Washington. John went.
Kim told an audience of veterans, if she were face to face with
the pilot who dropped the bomb, she would tell him.
"I have lived with my pain; I know the value of love when
you want to heal. I have lived with hatred, and now I know
the power of forgiveness. Today, I am alive, I live without
hatred, without the spirit of revenge, and I can tell all those
who caused my suffering: I forgive you."
Unable to attend school, Kim found
a library and discovered a Bible.
“I couldn’t stop reading it.” In a
local church, “The love of God
changed my life. I knew that Jesus
died on the cross and paid for my
sins. As God spilled His love into
me, he removed all my hatred,
anger, bitterness, sorrow.”
John pushed his way through
the crowd. “I am the one!”
he shouted. “I am the man
who did this to you!”
Kim was the only one who
could free him and he fell
into her arms, sobbing.
For every time he cried
out, “I am so sorry,” her
voice rose to cover his.
“It is OK, I’ve forgiven you”.
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Scripture quotations from The Holy Bible, New International
Version ® Copyright 1984 by International Bible Society
Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright ©1993-2002.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group
Acknowledgements: Photo’s—internet, Passion movie, author.
Colour version free at http://wakeley.weebly.com/index.html
JESUS SAID, “LOOK! I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. IF YOU HEAR MY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN, AND WE WILL SHARE A MEAL TOGETHER AS FRIENDS.” REVELATION 3:20
My friend Gabriel (from the Middle East) tells me this verse is
about Jesus offering us genuine friendship that is life-changing.
Jesus also will release us from the “baggage” we’re carrying or
really help us with the issues that are overwhelming our life.
God is so much more than organised religion. He invites us
into a relationship in His family. It’s our choice to says “yes”.