We sung New Zealand's National Anthem yesterday. An Anthem that calls on God to protect this land. An Anthem that still remains the nation's pride despite murmurings from a secular society to have it removed. I imagine one day that will happen but until then, this Anthem will continue to be sung, and sung as a prayer by Christians in this land.
There was no Dawn Service this morning due to it having been cancelled because of COVID, although other towns and cities managed to find creative ways to hold services despite the restrictions (which have eased greatly). Frankly, I'm glad that I didn't have to get out of bed at that hour of the day.
Last year Son#5 and DIL#5 attended the Dawn Service with us. This year we spoke to them and The Most Adorable Granddaughter#8 for a little while.
Last year ANZAC Day fell on a Sunday. It is often quite close to Easter, but I suspect is remembered more religiously than Easter. Such a statement reflects the state of our nation, yet I am often amazed at those who refuse to step foot inside a church, will willingly stand at a Dawn Service with heads bowed while passages of Scripture are read and prayers said (I suspect this, along with our National Anthem, are elements many would like to see removed).
ANZAC remembers those who paid the ultimate price for freedom. ANZAC remembers the sacrifices made by the many men and women who were prepared to lay down their lives if needed. ANZAC is a term now used for all those Australians and New Zealanders who fight for their country. It was first coined during World War 1, the war that was supposedly to end all wars. As we know, that war didn't live up to its expectations, and since then, men and women have been repeatedly called upon to defend their country and give up their lives if required.
Easter is also a time of remembrance. And of celebration. As Christians we know that Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Freedom from sin and bondage. Christ sacrificed Himself for us so that we could have forgiveness of sin. But Christ's death on the cross paid the price for our sins once and for all. There is no need for any other sacrifice. The price is paid.
We may bow our heads in respect at an ANZAC service and feel gratitude for those who died that we might have freedom in our nation, but this is nothing compared to what we should feel when we look at the cross and realise that the greatest sacrifice happened there. And our response should be much more than respect and gratitude. Our response should be with our lives.
Let this mind by in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God hath also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
That at he name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11, KJV
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