Anyway, in truth it was a welcome distraction, as I never really know what to do with myself on ANZAC day. On the one hand I recognise that there is tragedy in war that is important to recognise. On the other hand, I think ANZAC day for the most part is used to send a simplified message about war and military service. David and Andreana were generous enough to host me for an Indian feast last night, and we had some interesting discussions on this topic.
Tonight at church it became apparent very quickly that the sermon was going to have a ANZAC flavour. I admit I sat a little tense, wondering about the direction of the message. The preacher told the ANZAC story, adding some emotive anecdotes about individual heroism and bravery. It's not that I wanted to contest these stories necessarily, but I was worrying that this was going to be another over-simplified message delivered from an inappropriate platform. But then the preacher stopped and asked us if we are similarly moved by the narratives of the heros of the Bible. He challenged us not to oversimplify the message of the actions and lives of the likes of Peter and Paul, and least of all Jesus, in the way the ANZAC story had been oversimplified. He cautioned against dismissing the actions of our saviour as unheroic because they're not as simple or straightforward or tangible as the ANZAC legend. And finally, amidst a discussion of Phillippians 2:1-11*, focussed on Jesus' sacrifice which he offered for our interests and not his own as the ultimate act of heroism, and encouraged us to take on Paul's encouragement to emulate this kind of heroism in Christ's name.
In this message there was the provision of a framework within which to acknowledge ANZAC day that I was comfortable with, personally and spiritually. And for that I'm grateful.
*If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 comment:
Yay you've blogged again. And you've found a church? How is it?
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