“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
“I’m an excavation laborer…. Pick-and-shovel work is my trade. … I’m a New York City native, Brooklyn-born and -bred. After the Towers collapsed, my city was hurting. When I heard they needed guys like me for search-and-rescue work at Ground Zero, I couldn’t get there fast enough.
“…After 12 hours of searching, we’d recovered three bodies. By then I was exhausted, but I couldn’t quit. ‘Think I’ll take a look over there,’ I told the [others]. Picking my way through the debris, I peered into what had become a sort of grotto. Illuminated by the pale light of dawn were shapes: crosses. How did these get here? The largest was about 20 feet high…. I could almost hear God saying, ‘The terrible thing done at this site was meant for evil. But I will turn it to good. Have faith. I am here.’”
That two-ton cross of mangled steel became a symbol of hope for many and still is today (it is part of an exhibit at the National September 11 Museum). May the reality of the cross fill you with hope, hope that was won for you there by Jesus.
“…After 12 hours of searching, we’d recovered three bodies. By then I was exhausted, but I couldn’t quit. ‘Think I’ll take a look over there,’ I told the [others]. Picking my way through the debris, I peered into what had become a sort of grotto. Illuminated by the pale light of dawn were shapes: crosses. How did these get here? The largest was about 20 feet high…. I could almost hear God saying, ‘The terrible thing done at this site was meant for evil. But I will turn it to good. Have faith. I am here.’”
That two-ton cross of mangled steel became a symbol of hope for many and still is today (it is part of an exhibit at the National September 11 Museum). May the reality of the cross fill you with hope, hope that was won for you there by Jesus.
Scripture Focus
1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Insight
Excerpts of this devotional piece are from the October 28, 2008, Guidepost article by Frank Silecchia titled, “The Cross at Ground Zero.”
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 37-38
- Psalm 89
- Acts 11-12
