The Kite Runner

What is the price someone will pay for personal redemption? How far will we go if we think that in us lies the possibility of making things right with a friend we’ve offended, a loved one we’ve hurt, or even the God we’ve somehow turned our back on? The Kite Runner is that kind of a story. The story is set in pre-Soviet Afghanistan. Two boys are friends, one well to do, the other the son of the family servant. Kite flying was a popular Afghani sport and the servant boy has a unique gift related to kiting. As the story unfolds there is a tragic series of betrayals sandwiched between multiple acts of loyalty. The rich boy, Ahmir, betrays his young friend Hamman who would do anything for him. Ahmir eventually finds a way to make things right and the story ends with Ahmir learning to live loyally to those he loves.

The story challenges us to do the right thing even when the right thing is hard or hurtful. The contrast in the plot suggests that for those who fail to do right at first, there is the hope of redemption. The cost is high. “Nothing is free, there is a price” says one of the villains in the story. That line is repeated at several critical times in the course of the movie. In the end, the price for Ahmir is worth it. He risks everything to do what is right and learns the power of loyalty and the wonder of redemption.

This story is a reminder to me that people feel the need to make things right. But at what cost? The writers of the book and screen play got it right, there is a price. What I loved about the movie is the heart wrenching reality that we all feel the need to make things right. We all know deep inside that we’ve blown it, been disloyal to something or someone, and we need redemption, we need to make things right. But what about the cost? For me, as a sincere Christ follower, the cost is not something I have the capacity to pay. My disloyalties, my failures are too great. I'm flawed. I need grace. And what is the cost of grace? It cost a life—the life of Jesus. This is the essence of the Christian message. There is a price but someone else paid it. That person, Jesus, was a real historical figure who claimed to be God. He paid the price. So for us, through faith, it’s free. That’s the wonder of it all. No other world religion offers that. In religion, there is always something we must do for redemption--attend a service, read the bible, try hard to be good, join the Marines and fight the war on terror, quit drinking, give to charity, go to confession, whatever. That is the essence of religion; we do something to move towards God and hopefully we’ll be good enough to merit his favor--we hope. But in Christianity, God moves towards us. It is backwards or upside down of what most people feel must happen.

I loved the movie. A friend recommended it and my wife and one of my daughters have read the book. I can’t recommend it enough myself. Go see it quick before it leaves the theaters or you’ll have to wait a long time for the DVD. I'll be reading the book shortly.