I shared this Sept. 11, 2019. So much has happened since then. But so much is quite the same:
Today our world is overflowing with information of trouble and chaos. This breeds anxiety in hearts everywhere . . . and much debate.
But I can tell you a story where there was no debate.
September 11, 2001, World Trade Center.
There was a man named Alfred J. Braca who simply went to work—4th story from the top of a World Trade Center building. I knew him because he went to my church in NJ. Our sons were part of the same Boys Scout Troop.
He went to work on that day, but in a moment, . . .
great confusion and chaos made its entrance. There was no warning. No information.
The only debate was whether to stay put or to get out.
For the men and women on those upper floors, there was no way out.
Al Braca, had information. The story’s told that he went into one of the big conference rooms, and he told everyone to gather everyone they could find to come into the room.
It is told, approx. 50 of his co-workers came into the conference room.
Al Braca knew the peace of God, the forgiveness of sin through Jesus and the power of salvation in His name.
He had information everyone needed to hear.
So, on that morning of September 11, 2001, this child of God stood up on a Conference table.
This was a desperate moment. There was no good news about their circumstance. There was no way out.
Now was the time.
Al wasn’t worried about offending anyone. He wanted everyone to know what he knew. He wanted everyone to have life after this life was over.
Everlasting life.
I don’t know the exact words he shared, but he told them about Jesus. How Jesus paid it all.
Jesus Christ came to this world and died on the cross to pay the debt that we each owe for our hard hearts against God, our stubbornness, our lies, our hatred, our impatience, cruelty, . . . our sin.
Al knew Jesus personally. The risen Lord lived in him.
Al Braca was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes Romans 1:16.
There was trouble on every side. There was no time for debate.
The Bible has a verse that reads,
“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus . . . ” well on this day, comfort came. Not through Titus, but through a man named Al.
“What must I do to be saved?” Acts. 16:30.
Al Bracca knew the answer,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,…” Acts. 16:31.
On that day, people responded.
People on that day, were like the criminal hanging on the cross next to Jesus. The criminal who said to Jesus,
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42
Do you remember how Jesus responded?
‘And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you,
today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43.
How did this story get told in the first place?
Many of the men and women that met in that conference room that morning, made phone calls to their families and told them. They not only said, “Good-by, I love you,” but they were able to say, “I will see you again soon.
I’m going to heaven to be with Jesus. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Alfred Braca wanted the truth to get out about eternal life when each turns his/her life to Jesus. So many didn’t know. There was so little time!
They needed to know Jesus:
“Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them until the end.” John 13:1.
Do we know Jesus?
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God,
believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”John 14:1,2.
When I see the memorial with two lights shining straight up to heaven, I think of all those people who called on the name of Jesus that dark day. They now live a life everlasting with the Lord in glory.
Thank you Al Braca for being a witness to the light of Christ. Many had the opportunity to receive eternal life because you spoke up in courage and hope.
“God had demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Today, 20 years later, my heart breaks. But, I want to be like Al. He had a heart that broke for each and every person that didn’t know the hope and life in Jesus. In this world of strife and debate, . . . we’ve got to let the people know.
We need to tell them the truth about Jesus. What will we do when found in a moment of terror or crisis? Do we have the peace of God as Al did?
Jesus is the name that saves. There is no other.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.
Is today the day for salvation? Call on His name. Jesus will answer.
And if you do, let someone know, today.
This is a heavy article, but it’s full of hope and good news that many, on that day of Sept. 11, 2001, received eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ. Today, I share John 3:16 & 17, the great promise and truth of life in Christ with the voices of children.
Forever, THIS is the Good News:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” John 3:16 & 17.
