Sydney will face God’s judgment if it does not care for rural decline

Easter message from Archbishop Peter Jensen

For many Sydneysiders Easter means one thing – the Royal Easter Show.

It is a time for fun and to enjoy the good things that God created for us.

When the bush comes to town we also think of the hard times those who work the land endure. We rightly honour our rural brothers and sisters for the sacrifices they make from which we benefit.

In recent months, city journalists have been hyping a rural boom. While it’s true it has been a good year for the wool and beef industries, let’s remember that one year of plenty does not make up for a decade of decline. Indeed some parts of NSW remain in drought and the factors under-pinning the devastating impact of rural decline on bush communities remains largely not addressed.

Why should we city people care?

This week Christians remember the greatest act of sacrifice in the history of the world. The Bible tells us that Jesus willingly chose to die on the cross to open a path between God and us. He saw human need and did something about it. For those who believe that Christ is the Son of God and want to follow him, I have this to say.

Christ’s example shows us that we must love others sacrificially. We cannot forget the needs – social, physical and spiritual – of those in the bush.

We must not complain about being over taxed while at the same time bemoaning the quality of health services in Sydney.

I have been advised by bishop colleagues from rural dioceses that, in their pastoral experience, the high rate of suicide remains the most distressing outworking of rural decline. And yet I am told that there are no psychiatrists residing west of the Blue Mountains.

We forget how blessed we are in this city.

Lack of employment in rural areas is having a major impact on those who live in the country. We should congratulate the NSW government on its efforts to transfer government jobs to rural areas, and encourage it to look for more opportunities to follow this strategy through.

All of us, at some time, have resented being taxed, or resented the continued Harbour Bridge toll or government jobs being shifted to the bush. Yet all these ‘taxes’ on city folk go to help ease the burdens of those who are struggling in the rural NSW.

I must be honest. God wants us to be like him – generous and compassionate. By being somewhat reluctant to share the wealth of resources we have in this city with those struggling in the bush, we have sinned through our lack of generosity.

What should be done with sins like resentment and selfishness? These are attitudes which deserve God’s condemnation.

On Good Friday, Jesus bore God’s anger at our selfishness so that we might have a chance to avoid the cold justice we deserve. Christ, through his sacrificial death, reveals the character of God for us – loving, compassionate and generous.

By dying in our place, Christ took the punishment of those who love him, bringing them God’s forgiveness.

The Bible says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

If you haven’t submitted to Christ then you still face God’s condemnation.

Wherever you live this Easter, whatever your past, now is the time to ask God for his forgiveness and start living like Christ – loving sacrificially and giving generously.

Dr Peter Jensen is Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of NSW. He recently toured the Riverina and meets regularly with the State’s six rural-based Anglican bishops.

CONTACT: Margaret Rodgers
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