SAMANTHA ELLEY reflects on recent events in Sydney…
Northern Rivers, New South Wales, Australia
People hold candles during the Community Candlelight Vigil, recognising the victims of a fatal stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre, in Sydney, Australia, on 21st April, 2024. PICTURE: Reuters/Jaimi Joy
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4: 31-32 (NIV)
Both hubby and I watched in horror at the story of the Bondi Junction massacre as it unfolded in our lounge room on the television through news reports a couple of weeks ago.
We watched as the shadowy figure of a man with a knife ran towards innocent people, on loop, as the news reporter’s voice gave out the statistics of six people killed and 12 rushed to hospital with injuries.
“These events, and the riot at the church that followed, are definitely not in God’s plan for us.”
It was devastating and we could only imagine the reactions of family members as police tracked them down to tell them the shocking news of the death of their loved ones, who had done nothing more than go shopping on a Saturday afternoon.
This horrible event was then followed up with the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, a suburb of Sydney, as the service he was holding was streamed online.
These events, and the riot at the church that followed, are definitely not in God’s plan for us.
There was bitterness, rage, anger and brawling that motivated each of these actions. Why, we may never know, especially in the case of the Bondi Junction murderer as he was shot and killed before he could do anymore damage.
But the fruit of these emotions is evident. Innocent people paid the price.
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It was a reminder to me of why Jesus paid the ultimate price despite being innocent and He forgave us, who put Him on that cross.
I am inspired by the words of the bishop who has spoken out since the attack in which he was stabbed: “I forgive whoever has done this act and I say to him, you are my son. I love you and I will always pray for you.”
May we be more like Jesus.
