By Reverend Matt Smith
This year Good Friday and Anzac Day are separated by five days, and when held side by side there are some obvious similarities.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance commemorating Australians and New Zealanders who have served, suffered and died in wars.
Good Friday is a Christian day of remembrance, commemorating Jesus Christ who served, suffered and died on a cross.
On Anzac Day we are called to remember the sacrifice of men and women who laid down their lives for our nation.
On Good Friday we are called to remember the sacrifice of Jesus who laid down his life for the world.
When we think of the Anzacs we think of courageous men and women who fought and died so that we may enjoy freedom and prosperity in this blessed nation.
When we think of Jesus we think of a man who fought and died so that we may enjoy freedom and God’s blessing, not just in this life but the life to come.
When I ask myself ‘why did they do it? Why did they sacrifice themselves for others?’ the answer comes to me quickly and forcefully.
Love! It was a sacrifice of love.
As one of Jesus’ followers once famously said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
They sacrificed themselves for love of friends, family and country.
This year as we remember their costly and loving sacrifice, let us do so with hope.
Between Good Friday and Anzac day on the Christian calendar we celebrate Easter Sunday, the day when Jesus rose again.
In the resurrection of Christ, we see Jesus’ victory over death, tyranny and evil.
In his resurrection we find hope for ourselves that goes beyond death into eternal life.
In his resurrection we find hope for this world and the day when all war, violence and suffering will end.
In his resurrection we find hope for all creation: that ultimately love triumphs over evil.
– In January, Rev Matt Smith was inducted as the Anglican Minister for St John’s in Healesville and St Paul’s in Yarra Glen. He can be contacted via minister@stjohnshealesville.org.au.
