Remembrance

John 15:13 

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

This week we celebrated the centenary of the end of WW1 on Remembrance Day, the 11^th of November 2018. We paused to honour those who fought for our freedom, to reflect on the price they paid, and to acknowledge the benefits we gained through their sacrifice.

Our daily World News provides plenty of reasons to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today in Australia. News of refugees in crises, asylum seekers mistreated, civil war and religious oppression.

Oh, the freedoms we take for granted here in our country!

As we pause to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, it reminds me also say thanks to Jesus Christ for the sacrifice he made for mankind.

Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.”

Jesus’ sacrificial death paved the way for us to have access to God. Because of what he’s done, we can know with certainty that our sins are washed away. We can enjoy moment by moment fellowship with our heavenly father. We can bring our concerns and needs to him in confidence believing that he’ll care for us.

This week, let’s pause to honour those who fought for our freedom. And as we do, let’s remember the price that Jesus paid so that we might enjoy spiritual freedom, too.

Isaac Williams
Assistant Chaplain