Given The Choice

I heard that my cousin was arrested
Because he rebuked Herod and his ways
I could have counseled John to quiet his voice
It was within my power to save him from death
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

News of Lazarus’s illness reached me
Mary and Martha wanted me to rush to their aid
I ignored their pleas and stayed two days longer where I was
It was within my power to save Lazarus from death
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

I knew my teachings would upset the chief priests and the Pharisees
They had power to silence me as Herod had silenced John
My simple message would dethrone their power over the people
They could not let me live if they were to retain their political position
It was within my power to change my message
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

How could I have not known of the plot to kill me?!
I drew great crowds and raised their spirits and hopes
I promised them a better life through me
I agitated the high priests and Pharisees with such talk
I pitted brother against brother with such rhetoric
It was within my power to change my campaign
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

I saw what was in Judas’ soul
I saw his longing to be seen and be in charge
I knew what he was capable of
It was within my power to save Judas from himself
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

I knew as the night drew near that this was the night
I knew another way out of the garden of Gethsemane
I didn’t have to fulfill the scriptures—to be captured and killed
It was within my power to slip away through the darkness
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

I was handed over and questioned by Pilate
He wanted to save me from the chief priests, from the crowds
He wanted to save me from myself....and to save himself
He truly thought he had the power to save me from being crucified
If only I would give him something to help clear my name
It was within my power to help him save me
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen

I was taken to the Place of the Skull and crucified
I suffered, died, and was buried
You can never imagine the ridicule, abandonment, and pain
That I endured during those last hours
It was within my power to change my course many times
But I didn’t choose to
I just let it happen