In the scene previous to this one, Brooks is wielding a shank and is on the verge of taking Heywood's life. The reason? He has recently been informed that he will be released from prison on parole. To anyone outside the prison walls, and to most inside of them, this is a ridiculous idea. Who would not want to be free from prison? But if you were standing in Brooks' shoes, you might consider the same thing.
See, as "Red" (Morgan Freeman) said, Brooks is an institutional man. After spending most of his life in prison, that is where he is most comfortable; and to practically begin life all over again after making one in prison seems detrimental to old Brooks. As a matter of fact, it seems so detrimental to Brooks that he is willing to take a mans life to ensure that he doesn't have to leave the Shawshank prison.
Now, picture this. A young man from the community begins coming to youth group. After a while his best friend becomes the youth pastor. He goes to every single service, even the ones that don't attract the younger crowds. He does all the outreach projects. He goes on all the trips. Then, one night during the youth group, the youth pastor makes announcement that shocks this young man. God has called the youth pastor and his family in another direction and he is resigning from the church. The young man is heart broken. So heart broken that he quits going to church. This young man has become "institutionalized."
Whenever moments like this happen, and they do happen far too often across the United States, most people are surprised. I know that I am. We say, "How could he just quit coming to church like that, he loved church so much?" And when we ask that, we answer our own question. The reason that this happens is because people fall in love with the institution and routine of the church and not its kingly head, Jesus.
Love Jesus, then love the church. If you try to love in the wrong order, you will end up like Brooks. You will be an institutional man.
See, as "Red" (Morgan Freeman) said, Brooks is an institutional man. After spending most of his life in prison, that is where he is most comfortable; and to practically begin life all over again after making one in prison seems detrimental to old Brooks. As a matter of fact, it seems so detrimental to Brooks that he is willing to take a mans life to ensure that he doesn't have to leave the Shawshank prison.
Now, picture this. A young man from the community begins coming to youth group. After a while his best friend becomes the youth pastor. He goes to every single service, even the ones that don't attract the younger crowds. He does all the outreach projects. He goes on all the trips. Then, one night during the youth group, the youth pastor makes announcement that shocks this young man. God has called the youth pastor and his family in another direction and he is resigning from the church. The young man is heart broken. So heart broken that he quits going to church. This young man has become "institutionalized."
Whenever moments like this happen, and they do happen far too often across the United States, most people are surprised. I know that I am. We say, "How could he just quit coming to church like that, he loved church so much?" And when we ask that, we answer our own question. The reason that this happens is because people fall in love with the institution and routine of the church and not its kingly head, Jesus.
Love Jesus, then love the church. If you try to love in the wrong order, you will end up like Brooks. You will be an institutional man.
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