On Monday our nation will pause to remember the sacrifice of many men and women in wartime so that we can experience the peace and the freedom we enjoy today.
On this ANZAC Day, we remember the triumphs and tragedies of war whilst also witnessing them, in almost real-time, continuing to take place in Ukraine as well as many other conflicts around the world. For many of us, the violence and horror of war no longer feel as abstract as they once did when we can see bombs being dropped and mass graves being discovered via the internet moments after they've happened.
War reminds us of the shame, the glory and the futility of humanity.
The shame as we see the horrors and violence we are willing to exact on other human beings who are made in the image of God.
The glory as we see brave men and women willingly lay down their lives for others.
And the futility as we try time and time again to be our own saviours or that some technology or military might will be enough to secure our lasting freedom and salvation.
Blogger Murray Campbell reminds us of God's alternative to guns and bombs. Jesus.
He writes,
"In the book of Revelation we are told that Jesus Christ redeems, rules and judges through the sword of his mouth, the word of God (1:16; 2:12; 19:15). [...] The Kingdom of God and the rule of peace comes through the proclamation of this Gospel of Jesus Christ. Men and women are turned from being God’s enemies to enjoying his peace through this Gospel, and as they are united to God in amazing love and joy they are also reconciled together.
"Jesus spoke of the love demonstrated by laying down ones life for a friends. The Bible speaks of an even greater love that we would do well to adopt, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life” (Romans 5:8 and 10)."
When you remember the sacrifice of the ANZACs, remember the greater sacrifice of Jesus that brings real and lasting peace and freedom.
Grace & peace,
Andrew