Girrard To Kimball

1 Corinthians 12:26 – If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. (NIV)

One of my favourite television shows was The Fugitive, and then there was the movie! Not only did it hit home about the perverse incentives of the "medico-industrial complex" (which is one of my pet peeves), but there were messages to be taken from the story of Richard Kimball.

Richard Kimball is a doctor who has escaped after the crash of the train taking him to prison. He is innocent of the murder of his wife, but he runs because no one believes him and he feels helpless. As scared as he is, and running for his life, he still wants desperately for someone to believe in his innocence and good character. One time when Kimball is running, he holds at gunpoint the main antagonist, Girrard, the hard-nosed policeman.

Kimball to Girrard (pleadingly): "I didn't kill my wife!"
Girrard to Kimball: "I don't care!"

This response is a classic in our society where so many blindly do their jobs without speaking out for righteousness.

We are called by Christ to care for our fellow man. We are called especially to care for the other parts of the Body of Christ. We are asked to care about righteousness and what is right and wrong. In our country today, we see too many people who are only concerned that they continue their job, position, level of success, lifestyle level etc. Challenging the unjust might derail that comfort level and it is not done — "It's not my job". Brothers and sisters, for all of us, it is our job, like the hymn says:

Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore.

In the movie, Girrard finally comes around and has compassion on Kimball — but he adds classically that he does not want it to show. Are we more like that?

Psalm 37:4-10 – Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear God and Father of us all, as we bow before your throne, please help us to be the kind of caring people whom You have called Your children. Forgive us our pettiness and self-centredness when we fail to stand for what is good and just and righteous in Your sight. Amen.

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