Everyone has sounded off about whether or not the fire department should have sat by and watched Mr. Cranick's home burn to the ground.
There are those that believe the fire department did the right thing and we can assume if they were in the same situation they would have done the same.
There are thsoe who can not phathom sitting, watching a man's life go up in flames without trying to help.
As with any national tragedy, the Bible is being brought into play.
On the radio show, Focal Point, newsman Brian Fisher expressed that responsibility keeps people out of dire situations. You must contribute and pay for services rendered; there are no free rides. Listeners called in to the program in agreement, offering the parable of the Ten Virgins. In this parable, ten virgins (5 called wise and 5 caled foolish) were tasked with waiting for a bridegroom to come to their town. They had containers lit requiring oil. 5 of the virgins had a reserve of oil in case they ran out before the bridegroom came. 5 virgins believed the bridegroom would come on time and did not have a reserve. As the time progressed, the unprepared virgins ran out of oil and asked the virgins with an excess of oil if they could borrow some. They were told no and pointed in the direction of the nearest store. While the 5 virgins went off to purchase more oil, the bridegroom came, greeted those 5 virgins that were there to welcome him; and entered the building set aside for the event. When the other 5 virgins returned they saw the others gone and knew the bridegroom had arrived. They knocked on the building scheduled for the event to find they were locked out and denied entrance. LESSON: do not be caught unprepared for Jesus' return or you will be denied entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Gene Cranick was unprepaired for the fire that consumed his home. He had ample time and access to what he needed to be prepared. Gene Cranick would be denied.
Brian Fisher really argued personal responsibility. He stated Mr. Cranick must have not valued his home like others who paid the insurance fee of $75.00 and thus had to suffer the consequences of his actions. It would not be fair for those who had not paid to receive the same service as those who did pay. Firemen do not work for free.
While I listened I thought about Jesus. You, know the old "What Would Jesus Do?" thing. My thoughts turned to when Jesus and his disciples were going through a grain field on the Sabbath and were hungry. They picked some heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees (Members of a Jewish sect pledged to uphold the oldest traditions of Israel. In Jesus' time they were the most powerful party - political or religious - among the Jews), saw this and and told them what they were doing was unlawful. It was considered doing work on the Sabbath according to the Law of Moses.
Jesus went on to give an example of King David who had done the same when he and his men were hungry entering the house of God eating consecrated bread(Jesus was displaying his knowledge of Holy Scripture too). Jesus went on to say He desired mercy not sacrifice "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Matthew 12:1-8.
In essence Jesus was saying a man's salvation and life is greater than a law. Galatians 5:22 states "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Jesus' ministry was about a transformation of heart and living which centered around knowing there is only one true God, Jesus was the gateway; the door to that God and living in a pleasing manner of service and worship which included mercy, faith, and love which went far beyond any law.
So who is right and who is wrong when it comes to what happened to Gene Cranick's home? Scripture, as always, can be used for each side of opposition. Your agenda seems to be key when quoting and interpreting Scripture these days. I guess it is your nature and your character that will answer the issue of "how should the situation have been handled."
In the Bible, 1 John 3:17 says, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"
We can go on and on about this story, of a man who has suffered loss, truely at his own hand. But, there has to be a tug on your heart strings just a little. If it were your elderly mother who did not pay or the family with a special needs child who had not paid or even your local beloved physician who had not paid; would we have stood by and watched their home burn to sunder. The truck was there, able to perform the service; looking on at the fire's destruction. The neighbor and homeowner were insisting they would pay, just use some WATER on the fire.
Laws are in place to prevent chaos. We must abide by laws. But, is there a law that dims when it is put up against mercy and love of a fellow human being?
No comments:
Post a Comment