Daily Devotions
9/11 & the Hero We Must Never Forget
Reading for September 11th: Ezekiel 37-39
"Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them into exile among the nations and then assembled them into their own land. I will leave none of them remaining among the nations anymore. And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”
Ezekiel 39:28-29
Fifteen years ago today, United Airlines flight 93 was flying from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco when it was hijacked by terrorists and diverted to Washington, D.C. When crew members and passengers made telephone calls on the flight and learned of what happened in New York, a group of passengers mounted an attempt to take back control of the plane. They inevitably gave their lives in this attempt and 44 people died on that plane. Many more lives, however, were likely saved because of their act of courage.
We call those who selflessly give their lives to save others heroes. And if that is the definition of heroism, then what does that say about Jesus? If those passengers who gave their lives were heroes, Jesus is an even greater hero. Those passengers didn't know they would be dying when they boarded that plane. Jesus knew what would happen to him when he came to this earth. Those passengers knew they would die whether they took action or not. Jesus freely chose to die for us.
We should never forget the heroes who gave their lives to save others. We should take a moment today to remember and honor their bravery and courage. Even more, we should never forget the ultimate Hero who gave all so that we might live!
Our Savior, help us to never forget. Help us to honor your death by the way we live for you.
