This week we celebrate Anzac day, remembering all those men and women who gave of their lives to fight for the freedom of people in this and other countries. This ANZAC day comes to us on the heels of another war in the Middle East, involving thirty nations (including our own) defending the rights of a country invaded forcefully by a neighbour. Whilst this war is over, dozens of other wars continue to rage around the world, officially recognised as such. Still other conflicts continue within nations - such as with the Kurds in Iraq, and other civil unrests rich as those in Central America and Africa.
ANZAC day is commemorated in the hope that we will find peace as a nation, and as a world. It is a reminder of the price that is paid to "keep the peace" - measured in human lives and human blood. The sad reality is that this peace has been elusive. No matter how many wars are fought, no matter what the issue being "resolved", peace is not a natural consequence of a ceasefire. Peace between nations is not found because people as individuals are not able to find peace for themselves.
The cost of true peace has been measured - and paid. It cost the blood of God's only Son. Just as people's lives were sacrificed for the peace of their nation, God's own Son died to buy the peace of the world. The price of peace HAS been paid. To obtain it and to live under it is achieved by submitting to the government of God.
On ANZAC day we reflect
on those who, created in God's image, sought to do what God wants for all
people - obtain peace. However, true peace can only be obtained through
God's own Son. As Paul says:
"For God was pleased
to have all his fullness dwell in him (Christ), and through him to reconcile
to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by
making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" Col 1:19-20
Gary
April 21, 1991
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