How well we remember the unbelievable, when terrorists hijacked four commercial
jets, using them to attack America. We watched helplessly, as the Two Towers
fell, the Pentagon was struck, and a lonely field in Pennsylvania received it’s
awful impact as heroes acted to save yet another target of a few terrorists.
Recently my wife and I travelled to New York City with some friends, and one of the places we were determined to visit was the “Freedom Tower”. Actually I am not sure if it is called by this name or “World Trade Tower #1”. One lady who was on the subway train with us, got a bit upset when she heard one of our group refer to the tower as “World Trade Tower”. Anyway, I like “Freedom Tower” and it is truly an amazing work of engineering construction. The memorial of the two towers which crumbled to the ground killing so many innocent Americans, is also beautiful. In a setting of a quiet park with walk ways and trees, one finally comes to where they once stood. The plaza which has perfectly formed waterfalls into where the foundations once were for these huge buildings, continually falls. The names of not only those who died here but also those who perished in the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania, as well as those who died in the
1993 attack are inscribed here… all 2983.
The problem with people is that we tend to forget. We get distracted by other things. It was the same in the Bible… Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 6:12 “Be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought
you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Well, as history shows, Israel
forgot. In Matthew 26:6-13 we find a woman comes in and anoints Jesus’ feet… others complained and griped, but Jesus said that her kindness would be remembered (or will we forget?) This was close to the time when Jesus was to be crucified. It was after this, we find the record of Jesus instituting the Supper (Matthew 26:17-29)… The bread represents the body of Jesus, and the “cup” (grape juice or wine) represents the blood of Jesus. It is a memorial… never to be forgotten, because it was His sacrifice that was
given for the sin of the world. It is His sacrifice, that sealed a New and better Covenant. It was through his sacrifice, that we can come and gain access into His grace and receive a marvelous forgiveness of every sin. (Will we forget?) Truthfully, we probably won’t forget this memorial, but it seems to be given less and less time in services…. with less thought being given in preparation made.
Memorials like the one in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, where so many perished at the hands of a few terrorist… should never be forgotten… Simple acts of kindness should not be forgotten. The Memorial which Jesus established (which surpasses all the others)…. Should never be forgotten (or treated lightly).
Lord help us not to forget.