It was Sunday April 25th 1915 when the Anzacs, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, first landed on the beaches of the Turkish peninsula known as Gallipoli. Yet on that day so many young lives were cut down by the enemy guns positioned on the cliffs above.
Throughout the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign of WW1 there were to be many examples of resourcefulness, endurance and reckless valour under the most appalling of conditions. So it's no surprise that since then, on 25th April each year, Australians and New Zealanders pause to remember with gratitude those who gave their lives on what has become known as Anzac Day.
FEARFUL TRUTH
Scaling the cliffs and confronting the enemy at Gallipoli took considerable bravery. And yet, even today, facing up to the truth about ourselves demands very real courage, albeit of a different kind. For example, though we may be doing our best to live a decent life we simply can't deny that all too often it's the darker side of our nature that comes to the fore...
...sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,
envy... drunkenness...
Galatians 5:19-21
…and this applies to every one of us...
...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
Romans 3;23
RESCUE PLAN
Following 8 months of bitter struggle a stalemate prevailed, leading to the evacuation and rescue of many servicemen. And this decision saved many a young life from the very real prospect of a horrible death, from either conflict or disease. Of course we may not realise it, living as we do in relative peace and security, but we too face a fearful future...
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after
that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him, who after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell.
Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:4-5
Thankfully God has also put in place a wonderful 'rescue plan' for us.
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
Throughout the Gallipoli campaign soldiers on both sides were known to have given their lives for a comrade. Yet in a similar way, God's rescue plan for us involves an even greater sacrifice... the death of His Son, Christ Jesus, on the Cross of Calvary...
...God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
And when, with His help, we turn away from all we know to be wrong and ask the risen Christ Jesus into our lives to become our Saviour and Lord, so we're 'put right' with God the Father... and are given a completely new start in life...
...to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God...
Romans 3:23
And now each year, Anzac Day has become a day of remembrance. But it can also be a day of decision for the likes of us... one which will change your life, and your destiny.
