Chaplains’ Chat

As we read this article, we will be preparing for a long weekend! For those of us who can enjoy some relaxing moments, this is always a welcome time. Of course, for many of us, the weekend will involve different things. Most of our full-time Boarders will be travelling home and enjoying time with family and friends in different parts of the state. What a marvellous thing this will be for them. Others of us will perhaps get away from Sydney for a brief period of time away. Many of us will simply enjoy the relaxation of four days away from School and work. However, as we think of this Easter long weekend, it is also important for us to remember the context behind the break.

At this time of our calendar year, roughly 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was arrested, and ultimately crucified on a Cross, although he was innocent of any crime. We refer to this Friday as Good Friday. At first glance, it does seem strange. Surely there is nothing good about an innocent man being crucified on a Roman Cross! And yet the Bible writers and Jesus himself will declare that his death on the Cross is good for us because as Jesus dies on the Cross, he is dying so that we can be forgiven. He enables us to be in a relationship with the true and living God, now and into the future. This is indeed good news and enables us to say that it is a Good Friday. Of course, while many of us will enjoy the many chocolate Easter eggs on Sunday (I know myself and family will), even this reminds us of the empty tomb and the wonderful news of Jesus returning to life. Death has indeed been conquered. We can have life now and into eternity with God himself. This is indeed wonderful news and it causes us to be thankful and have great joy knowing this in our lives. May this Easter time be a wonderful time in our lives as we remember and rejoice in the Savior Jesus.

Rev. Anthony Benn
Chaplain