A Ship Born Of Tragedy ?

When the USS New York was christened on March 1st at Northrop Grumman shipyardin Avondale, Louisiana, a unique and sobering atmosphere surrounded the event. The vessel has been referred to as a "living, fighting monument to the dead of 9/11". The description seems more than fitting when considering that approximately 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center is cast in the bow stem of the ship.

The $1 billion, 25,000-ton vessel, is 684 feet long and is one of a new class of warships designed for special operations against terrorists. The ship can carry a crew of about 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines. The New York will be officially commissioned in New York City in the fall of 2009 Rep. Vito Fossella, a New York Republican, "If the USS New York has to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, PCO Jones and his crew ... have my full support,"

Monuments can be found nearly everywhere and representing nearly everything imaginable. For example, the famed Eiffel Tower in France was built for the 1889 World's Fair to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution At 990 feet tall, the Eiffel tower almost double the size of the Washington Monument in the nation's capitol. Smaller and more common monuments are those seen scattered over any give cemetery or graveyard.The basic meaning of a monument is something venerated for its enduring historic significance or association with a notable past person or thing. The Encarta dictionary includes the following aspect: "A worthy reminder of something: something that remains as a reminder of something, especially something fine or distinguished".

In the world of impressive structures geared toward some form of remembrance, none can match the small, but highly significant, act of remembrance instituted by Jesus for His followers just before His death on the cross. The Apostle Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 11. Beginning in 23 he reveals the procedure and purpose of what the Lord Himself instructed believes in any time period to follow. "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."

The USS New York is a ship that will forever be associated with tragedy. And while some may see Christ's death as a tragedy, the exact opposite is true. His death is equated to victory. His death was planned, voluntary, selfless, and significant beyond comprehension. His love compelled Him to follow lost sinners even to the very 'gates of hell'. This he did in order to redeem men from the devastating effects of sin and to fashion them as 'vessels' of honor and useful for good works according to 2 Timothy 2:20-21. In return, the Savior asks only for serious commitment to His Word and His will - part of which is remembering His 'monumental' act of redemption.

The USS New York has been referred to as a "living, fighting monument to the dead of 9/11". But the elements of the Lord's Supper are a living monument to a 'living' Savior by those now living through and for Him by faith.

Bill Breckenridge