Not so long ago, the Jewish people here in Australia were celebrating what they know and love, which is Chanukah or Hannukah. There were so many of them on Bondi Beach when, suddenly out of nowhere, a father, Sajid Akram, and his son, Naveed Akram, gunned down and killed a total of fifteen people, including 10-year-old Matilda.
Matilda is such an Ozzy name, and apparently, her parents named her after Waltzing Matilda, pretty much our Australian National Anthem - well, tries awfully hard to be, she was named for our country, where her Ukrainian family felt they had found safety.
Sajid Akram, the father, was shot dead by police. His son, Naveed, was bundled off to the hospital after he had been shot. He survived, and it looks like he will be spending the rest of his life in prison.
Akram (the son) looks like he will be convicted of murder and an enormous and variable number of other charges. He brutally killed fifteen people and seriously wounded so many more - he is facing forty four charges.
Four homemade bombs were thrown into the crowd but failed to detonate. Another homemade bomb was found in the car that belonged to the Akrams.
It was such a shocking thing to have happened. I think Australia as pretty much as a whole was totally shocked and outraged by the events.
So, where does that leave us as Christians? Matilda's Aunt said, "Don't put anger in your heart - if you have anger, put it aside and replace it with happiness. Don't make your kids angry; let them live in happiness and love."
Extraordinary in so many ways. Here was this child at the beach with her family when this awful tragedy just exploded, and her life was brushed aside. Her younger sister survived but was right beside Matilda as she was so brutally killed.
So where does that leave us? It's hard to know, isn't it! In Matthew chapter 5:14-16, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matilda's Aunt was an amazingly beautiful lady and an extraordinary example for all of us, as she talked about her niece's death with such alacrity and sincerity. Often, after something so disastrous as this, talking about the events leading up to it and, of course, the actual situation would be incredibly hard to even talk about, let alone be so positive.
Matilda's Aunt showed exactly what Jesus was saying about being the Light of the World. You can't be hidden. If you love your Lord Jesus, then showing His love regardless of what is happening in your life is amazing and extraordinary.
I must say, I feel I would have all sorts of alarms and bell-ringing inside my head if the same thing had happened to me. The family of the young lass who was so viciously murdered as she was just playing on the beach with her sister was completely devastated, and I can only imagine what they went through at the time and what they continue to go through, probably for the rest of their lives.
Matilda's Aunt and her parents have shown how strongly they feel about the whole disastrous and macabre afternoon. They haven't pointed the blame and have shown love for Matilda, love for all the families involved, and a continued love for all those who so strongly assisted them on that horrible day.
They have proven a great example of what Jesus said about being the 'light of the world". As Christians, we can't be hidden somewhere all shrivelled up and frightened to be out in the world. Our love of God and what Jesus did for us is astounding and amazing, and we as His followers have to show His love regardless of what is going on in our own lives. A great example of this is the family of young Matilda.
I'm not sure how Matilda's family is feeling about the Lord Jesus, but they have shown a fine example of what we should do and how we should act once we have given our lives over to Him.
When we live for Jesus, we live as lights, as Jesus has said, as mentioned above. How do we live as lights? In all sorts of ways, we can show love to others through Jesus. We can show others all sorts of kindness just by being us and showing people that Jesus actually can change us.
We don't have to make it a broadcast, but we can certainly change our way of approaching other people. As Jesus said in Matthew, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
So what we do can certainly have an effect on how we approach and speak to our neighbours, friends, and really anyone we may meet. Our faith should really become a 'witness' in a way to show others that Jesus Christ has changed us.
In the Bible in 1st Peter chapter 3 and verse 15, it says, "In your heart, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect".
I really love that verse, especially when it says "with gentleness and respect," not standing up and pounding it all out. Jesus Himself didn't do it like that. he spoke to so many with respect and gentleness, and because He was like this, the true Gospel of God has been broadcast far and wide.
How are you with receiving Christ into your life? Would you like to make a commitment to Him? Pray this prayer if you want to.
"Dear Lord:- I know I sin and keep on sinning, but right now I really need to put my faith in You. I know you died to take away my sins, and then you rose again to eternal life. I ask you to forgive all the sins that I have committed over the years. Please forgive me and help me to have a real personal relationship with you. Thank you so much for accepting my forgiveness and giving me eternal life with you."
If you prayed that prayer in all earnestness, then God will accept your life to live with Him when the time comes. You will certainly keep making mistakes BUT coming to Jesus like you have will certainly erase those mistakes. You can keep praying to God and asking Him to keep changing your life.
Hope you have a great week, and hope to see you next time.
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