Following the horrific terrorists attacks that took place on September 11, 2001, a Bible verse was uncovered in a chunk of rubble. The message it revealed is an important one.

The cleanup at Ground Zero was a long process. In fact, it took months to work through what was left behind.

A cleaning crew was looking through the final remnants of the south tower. During the search, a firefighter found a unique piece of debris.

On the rubble he discovered a Bible verse fused to a chunk of rubble. He couldn’t believe what he had found. In complete disbelief, he got Joel Meyerowitz’s attention, who happened to be close by.

Meyerowitz is a photographer who also wrote the book, “Aftermath: World Trade Center Archive.”

“This shredded, burned and rubble-covered Bible came to me from the loving hands of a fireman who knew that I was the record keeper of ground zero,” Meyerowitz said.

The page that was fused to the rubble was from the Gospel of Matthew, which is the Sermon on the Mount text. This particular passage addresses retaliation.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:38-39.

Who can forget the pain we all felt following the 9/11 attacks. This is why the message on the rubble was so pertinent – even when we feel angry or want vengeance, God warns us to not repay evil with evil. He calls us to do something even more radical – to love and forgive.

“My astonishment at seeing the page that the Bible was open to made me realize that the Bible’s message survives throughout time,” Meyerowitz said, “and in every era we interpret its teachings freshly, as the occasion demands.”

God’s Word was not erased that day.  Meyerowitz donated the piece to the National September 11 Memorial Museum where it can be viewed by people all around the world.

The message continues to move people to this day!