Beast into a Beauty!

Just a quick warning if you haven't seen either the animated or new version of Beauty and the Beast this post might spoil the plot for you. Read on with caution.

"So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look! New things have arrived!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

So I admit it proudly I had the privilege of watching Disney's live action remake of Beauty and the Beast in Theaters.  It was my favorite Disney movie as a kid, and still is my all time #1. Tonight I was reflecting on why this is? What is it about this love story that connects so close to my heart? 

I find my answer in the Corinthians passage above. It's the beast that intrigues me. We meet him as a vile and terrorizing creature. There is no way anyone could love such a monstrosity, someone who is filled with pain, regret, and rage. In all ways the beast is meant to be seen as the unlovable monster. We take the beast at face value, he is ugly and easily dismissed as too far gone. I know if I am honest I have my "Beastly" moments. Times when my mouth is not encouraging. My attitude is not good. In those moments I feel like an unlovable creature a "Beast." 

But, the story shifts and Bell who is the beauty of the story begins to unlock a deeper truth about the beast. She begins to see the monster as something more and in doing so he indeed becomes something more. My favorite part of the film is not when the beast is made beautiful, that's too cliche. It's the moment I see the beast as a hero in the film before his physical appearance is altered. Nothing outwardly has changed at all in our monster. At first glance there are still horns, teeth, and overall I should see a beast. But I don't any longer. I see a person (Yes a large bear wolf hybrid person) but still something that can indeed be loved. 

I see this at what Christ does for me. Paul tells the church in Corinth that being loved by Christ changes us. When we are living into the power of Jesus Christ even though we don't have a magical outward transformation, inwardly we are created anew. When I accept the love of God into my life the old beastly parts melt away in some miraculous sense.The fears of being an unlovable creature no longer exists, and in its place is the knowledge that I am a child of the Most High and His love for me is unending. That's the beautiful thing about God's love it cannot help but overwhelm us, change us, move away our beastly lives. Following Christ is not beauty and the beast. No dear friends, that implies that nothing changes in us, and God merely loves the beast but leaves the monster in its brokenness. Gods love for us is more powerful than that! Accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the beast becoming beautiful. This Easter let's put down the beast of sin and destruction, because God is not interested in walking with the "Beast" in us, because Jesus has better news for you and I. Christ makes the "Beast" beautiful. Be beautiful Everyone! By Christ alone. Selah

Richard

focusonthecross.org