Jesus said that he could not do anything by himself. Let this sink in. Perhaps he knew that of himself that he could not prevent his crucifixion. There were forces at work that made him powerless. And he agreed to this. We have all read his words: “Let this cup pass from me.” But he drank and the world changed in an instant. You, too, can change your state in an instant when you acknowledge that you are powerless.

Powerlessness is a precious jewel that man asleep knows nothing about. It is for awakening man to discover. “Of mine own self I can do nothing.” Another statement that we can say and experience when we are truly penitent.

Look at how we treat our families. If people only knew, we think, they would not have anything to do with us. Well, we are all just alike. No one behaves in public like he does in private.

No one is ever ready to be crucified emotionally or physically. I have been through the crucifixion and resurrection twice already. I have changed but a little. Perhaps all it has done is make me realize the impermanence of people.

George Floyd was crucified and I am quite sure he rose again like the sun. Evil walks among men and we must continue to witness it, to let it change us. Otherwise, we become like that police officer with his knee on someone’s neck, figuratively or literally.

Easter Sunday will come and go and so will we. Our job is to keep witnessing both good and evil, and evil predominates on this planet. Hearts are changed one by one and only powerlessness can rise the third day. Pure innocence cannot but be rewarded. “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

Vicki Woodyard