The Cross and ANZAC Day
This year Easter and ANZAC Day are almost adjacent which in my mind is ironic. Having just celebrated the most important Christian religion day of the year, we almost immediately come to the most religious day of the year in the Australian calendar than April 25 on which it is un-Australian to shop before midday, miss the dawn service or reject a sprig of rosemary. We all bow down to worship at the altar of Gallipoli, remembering all that the brave men and women did for us to ensure our freedom.
It's important, but it's not the main game.
There are a million things that might draw our attention away from the cross of Christ. Too many to even list a few. And yet, it is the cross of Christ that actually stands at the centre of all history. It is there that love is most clearly seen. It is there that sacrifice is most clearly seen. It is there that kindness, mercy and grace are most clearly on display.
What intrigues me is how easily we look elsewhere to understand these things?
We have fashioned ANZAC into an idol and a myth that gives Australian life meaning. Australians look to ANZAC to understand love, sacrifice and kindness. Now is the time for us to take an opportunity to acknowledge all that, but to help people see something bigger—even someone bigger! Jesus! Monday provides you with an opportunity to point people clearly to Jesus. Don't miss it!
Speaking about Jesus does not take away from the courageous efforts of our family and friends who served and self-sacrificed for our country at Gallipoli or anywhere else. Rather, it recognizes that ANZAC Day is a moment when our culture provides us with a chance to point people to the Cross.
But not just to a man who gave his life that his countrymen may be free. But a man who gave his life that his enemies might be free. A man who gave his life – and won a great victory – without raising a hand in anger. Indeed, by raising his arms in glad surrender. For the only blood shed that day on the hill of Golgotha was his own.
Most of us will have a day of rest on Monday in recognition of sacrifice. How will you use the day to help those around recognise the greater sacrifice of Jesus?
