Many Paths: It's within our power to change the current narrative of our flawed past

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.

The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

I am grateful for this act of divine providence, and also for the vision and courage exhibited by our President Lincoln who according to, history.com penned these words, "If the negro is a man, why then my ancient faith teaches me that 'all men are created equal;' and that there can be no moral right in connection with one man's making a slave of another," he said in a now-famous speech in Peoria, Illinois, in 1854.

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How did I choose this important and strategic moment in our nation’s history to write about? Here is the answer. I had completed my all my preparation for Resurrection Sunday or Easter, namely the preparation of our Sunday School lesson, the sermon and prayer before retiring for the night.

I set my alarm to get up on time to complete my final preparations for service. I woke up very early and felt the need to pray, so I did. I knelt by the bed as I have seen my mother faithfully do many times. I kneeled and prayed as directed by the Spirit.

Then it came to me that was responsible for writing the article for April 1, 2024. What am I going to do, I thought? Suddenly, the thought came to me: "You need to write about Resurrection Sunday and its impact upon humanity and creation at-large."

I needed to share the real message and challenge contained within the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross; that being forgiveness, compassion for a repentant sinner, honor, respect and care for parents, unwavering commitment to purpose no matter the cost, person honesty and venerability in the face of the unthinkable happening to you and yet staying focused, a heart made steady by an audacious faith and finally an unshakeable trust in creator love.

Wow. That's it: The Emancipation Proclamation is my topic. It represents a type of Resurrection Sunday for people who were not considered human nor treated as people.

Go with me, let’s “launch out into the deep” to understand the parallel between the two events.

First, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was thorough, complete, and comprehensive. It settled all outstanding doubt concerning God’s judgement of sin and fulfilled God’s redemptive promise to save man from destruction and death.

For those who embrace its tenets, principles, and teachings, the resurrection offers transformational change within the depths of one’s being. It promises life beyond life is real and raises the fallen to a state of soundness without price on their part.

Jesus paid it all and thus settled all accounts against mankind. The only requirement is that we trust and believe by faith.

Let me state emphatically that the resurrection of Jesus did what the Emancipation Proclamation left undone.

The Emancipation Proclamation freed only those slaves in the southern states that had seceded from the union while leaving millions yet in bondage.

However, there were provisions made which did allow former enslaved men to serve in the Union Army and Navy. It did not provide a financial foundation floor for formerly enslaved people to recuperate from the institution of slavery.

I heard someone say on a PBS documentary of about the colonialization of the continent of Africa, that many territories and people had gained their independence but, “that a person although free, cannot eat freedom.”

The formerly enslaved people had experience mothers, fathers, brother, and sisters being sold and scattered with no hope of seeing them again. They owned no land, nor house or bed to sleep on. There is another saying, “that one must pull himself up by his own boot strap.”

Let each of us go beyond traditional practices concerning the celebration of Easter into the glorious life changing experience of resurrection power.

It is within our power to change the current narrative of our flawed past from that of death to one of life.

Andrew Jowers is a minister in Galesburg.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Many Paths: It's within our power to change the current narrative