watch this first...
This video’s been doing the facebook rounds
lately and I thought I’d add to the giant recycling bin that is the internet by
linking and commenting on it.
The story of Charlotte and Jonathan struck
me as an amazing illustration of grace.
Firstly Charlotte shows grace (unmerited favour) by loving the unlovable
Jonathan. In doing so she discovers
there is much to love in Jonathan that no one else has discovered because they
were busy judging his outward appearance.
Her love gives him the courage to do the outrageous – sing in front of
millions of people and submit himself to their judgment.
What the millions discover is that he is an
astounding opera singer! But at 4min50 along
comes the personification of law (the standard) himself; Simon Cowell. He tells them “Charlotte, I think you’re
good; but Jonathan, you are unbelievable, you are a future star… but I’m
worried that Charlotte is going to hold you back” to which Jonathan replies “we
came on here as a duo and we are going to stay as a duo.”
Jonathan was tempted in that moment to dump
Charlotte to gain the world but what does he do? He gives up the world to keep a friend and support
her – he gives grace back to Charlotte at the expense of himself. This is profound love and it reminds me so
much of Christ who gave up the world to gain his enemies and at the expense of
his life.
