Issue No - The King's School

CHAPLAIN
A Weekend of Sacrifice
This year ANZAC Day and the Easter
Weekend coincided. They say that it
only happens every 27 years. (In 2038
ANZAC Day and Easter Day will occur
on the same day!) Maybe it should
happen more often as they have similar themes,
especially when we think about sacrifice.
To sacrifice is to give up something of value for the
good of yourself but more importantly for the good
of others. Sadly some people sacrifice valuable
things in their life but not for a worthy cause. They
give up their family, health and energy for things
that will bring destruction.
So what does sacrifice include
Sacrifice means total commitment. The supercoach
Wayne Bennett makes a distinction between
involvement and commitment. We are involved in
many things in our life, but what are we totally
committed too Wayne says ... commitment means
struggle. It means effort. Always sacrifice ....”.
Sacrifice means love. If you love someone you will
be willing to sacrifice. Many have stepped forward
in the arena of war and given the ultimate sacrifice
because of their love for their mates, family and
country. Pvte Richard Murray who was a POW in
Sandakan (Borneo) gave his life for his mates. The
guards were questioning the prisoners on who stole
the rice and the biscuits. Murray and his mates were
planning to escape and had stolen the food as part
of their plan. His friend, Keith Botterrill
encouraged Murray not to own up as surely the
guards would not kill all of the prisoners. To
everyone‘s surprise Pvte Murray stepped forward
admitting it was he and he alone who stole the food.
He was beaten by the guards and then taken down
the bush and bayoneted to death. On his grave is
written ... He stepped forward to sacrifice his life
for his mates. (Sandakan—A Conspiracy of Silence
by L. Silver, p.210). Jesus told us greater love have
no man than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends. (John 15:13) We know that is exactly what
Jesus did for us. Easter celebrates that Jesus gave
his life so that we may have eternal life.
Sacrifice also means courage. You don‘t have to be
at war or an adult to sacrifice. We remember Jordan
Rice, the 13 year old boy from the Toowoomba
floods. When the rescuers came to save him, he
made sure they took his younger brother first.
Sadly, when they returned to rescue him, Jordan
and his mother had been swept away to their deaths.
At his funeral, Jordan‘s older brother said, You
were petrified of water, heights, and even the dark.
How wrong was I Here you go losing your life
from one of your biggest fears to save your little
brother. You made me so proud. What you did took
heart, courage and love.
Sacrifice needs to be a way of life. It is not just for
the sporting field, the arena of war or in dire
circumstances. Each day we must sacrifice. We
must show commitment, love and courage in
serving God and those around us. We could even
say that when we sacrifice we are living as the
―image‖ of God. God is a God of sacrifice and we
should be people of sacrifice also.
Rev Stephen Edwards
... is a Church for the King‘s School community
where the Bible is presented as our guide for life.
We meet every Sunday and all the family is
welcome with a quiet room, crèche and Sunday
School for all ages including Senior School.
8 May
Mother‘s Day
9.30am – CLL Auditorium
Speaker … Rev Stephen Edwards
Unholy People
15 May
9.30am – CLL Auditorium
Guest Speaker … Rev Anthony Benn
A Holy Saviour
22 May
Mother‘s Day
9.30am – CLL Auditorium
Speaker … Rev Stephen Edwards
A Holy Person
Parents‘ Prayer Meeting
Wednesday 25 May
7.30-9.00pm, Chaplain‘s Cottage
Come along and join us as we pray for our School.
Further information from Rev Stephen Edwards
9683 8414
The King's Herald Page 6 Issue No. 5 – 6 May 2011