Greater Love has no man

Yesterday, as most of you know, was Anzac Day. A day of remembrance and commemoration of the soldiers who fought for Australia and New Zealand.

Every year at the Jack Evans Anzac memorial, there is an Anzac Day service which I had the pleasure of being a part of. During this service, an Anglican priest had the stage and spoke about commemoration. While speaking he beautifully incorporated the gospel into what he was saying and a verse he quoted really sticks with me.

The verse he spoke was John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse on its own is fitting for remembering our Australian soldiers and their sacrifice. But it is much more powerful than that. The bravery and mateship displayed by our soldiers is a perfect example of living out Jesus’ teachings. In this part of John’s gospel, Jesus is speaking about loving each other as he loved us. Jesus laid down his life because he loved each and every one of us. He tells us that there is no greater display of love.

Our Anzac soldiers marched into battle with brave hearts, willing to die for their country and their fellow mates. We can be encouraged by these men and women to love our neighbours as God our father loved us, because our ancestors and friends displayed the greatest love.

Reuben