What does Anzac Day mean to you?
Aussies & Kiwis commemorated the centenary of Anzac Day on 25 April 2015. One hundred years ago, the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) fought in World War I (1914 – 1918). During 1914, the newly-independent Australian government pledged full support for Britain’s war with Germany. On 25 April 1915, the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli in Turkey. Their mission was to secure a safe maritime passage for British warships sailing to help Russia on the Eastern Front. The Anzacs had to defeat German-ally Turkey so that the strategic Dardanelles waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Black Seas could remain open. Their campaign lasted almost 8 months and resulted in a bloody stalemate. Both the Anzacs and Turkish were unsuccessful in defeating each other. The Anzacs were withdrawn by the British from Gallipoli and redeployed on the Western Front and in the Middle East. World War I was the most costly conflict on Australia in terms of deaths and casualties. Australia’s population was almost 5 million in 1914 and 416,809 men (8% of Australia’s total population) enlisted to fight. Over 60,000 Australian soldiers (15% of all soldiers) were killed and another 156,000 (37% of all soldiers) were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.[1]
During 2014 – 2015, our television screens and news media have been filled with war stories commemorating World War I. We have been told many stories of loyalty to the British Empire, bravery, courage and heroism in the face of incredible adversity. In the last few months, there have been various documentaries showing what it was really like in the Gallipoli trenches and the terrible conditions that the Anzacs endured. They faced the impossible task of fighting uphill in steep terrain during intense summer heat with the constant smell of death surrounding them. The horrors of trench warfare are contrasted with iconic Aussie mateship and laconic humour. Despite the humiliating backdown, Anzac Day has come to symbolise the Australian battling spirit, perseverance and resilience. Even with difficult challenges in life, Aussies are able to laugh and help their mates during tough times.
What makes Anzac Day more ironic is that Aussie diggers were fighting someone else’s war on the other side of the world far away from home. The Anzacs were called into a European war that they did not start and had nothing to do with. They were fighting a battle in a distant land with someone else’s aggrieved neighbours. World War I was supposed to be “The War to end all wars.” [2] But we can see from history that this was not the case. World War II started 21 years later and there have been numerous military conflicts around the world ever since. After World War I, Australians have been called on many times to support allies Britain and USA in conflicts with their various enemies: Germany, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq & Afghanistan just to name a few. There is a long history of Aussies helping their friends.
“Greater love has no-one than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
War demonstrates soldiers loving their country and sacrificing their lives so that their friends back home can enjoy peace and freedom. Our armed forces risk their lives because they believe that Australia and its good citizens are worth fighting for. In the bible we read of another man who sacrificed himself to save others. But in contrast to soldiers fighting for their friends, Jesus died for his bitter enemies.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
God did not wait for us to be his friends. He sent Jesus on a pre-emptive strike to die for his ungodly enemies. The bible depicts sin as the war between humans and God. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can have peace with God. Our world is always at war and only Jesus offers peace that lasts forever.
Do you feel that you are at war with God?
Do you wish you could know the eternal peace of forgiveness?
Contact us to find out more about peace and forgiveness.
Read other City Bible Forum blogs about:
Loving Your Enemies and Anzac DayVisit Bible Society Australia’s Anzac Day travelling exhibition
[1] Australian War Memorial website: www.awm.gov.au
[2] Wells, Herbert George. (1914) "The war that will end war" Duffield, London.
