The sacrifice of Abraham and Isaac speaks of the helpless of the cross, especially when seen through the eyes of a POW in North Vietnam.
Its foundation goes back 4,000 years ago, to the sacrifice of Abraham and Isaac. Most of us put ourselves in the position of Abraham, who has the power. Note this commentary by Major Fischer (a composite figure?) who was imprisoned in Hanoi after his helicopter malfunctioned over the Demilitarized Zone. [from movie “Hanoi Hilton”]:
“When I was young, at religious school, I remember a great deal was made of Abraham and Isaac… How God ordered Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, his beloved child. Abraham stood with a knife in his hand and wrestled within himself to decide whether to believe, trust God, or to deny him. And I suppose that most of us identified with Abraham, wondering how we would use free choice if THAT was us.
Well, since I’ve been in here I’ve had time to think about Isaac. Helpless, tied up on an altar, an audience to what might become his own death.
[And he couldn’t trust in God, he had to trust in Abraham and hope that God would act through him. In the end it all worked out for Abraham and Isaac. Just as it will for us.]