Juneteenth – Celebration of Freedom
Can you believe we have entered the midway of the year, June 2024!
One of the reasons, I bet we all look forward to June among many other reasons is, June marks the start of summer and it gifts us with longer daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere as opposed to the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere where it ushers into the winter season.
We learn from the history about Juneteenth that on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX, and announced the end of the civil war and slavery. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive declaration which came to known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day which is today observed on the anniversary of June 19.
As citizens of this country, many of us hold this day special because of what it stands for. Juneteenth symbolizes for believers the day on which an unrighteous institution was broken.
The practice of stealing and selling people was a norm among the nations. However, in Exodus 21:16 Yahweh banned such practices and established a death penalty against such evil actions. Today such practices of slavery and human trafficking are still prevalent in many countries.
As believers, when we notice such practices in our own backyards, neighborhoods, etc. what is our reaction or responsibility toward such practices? We are to love God and others, to share the Gospel and make disciples, to live a life of holiness and purity, to serve others, and to be good stewards of all that God has given to us.
Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Freedom comes with responsibility, which is to love God and others, to share the Gospel and make disciples, to live a holy life, to serve others, and to be good stewards of all that God has given us. Regarding spiritual slavery and freedom Christ says: 'If the Son shall set you free, you will indeed be free' (John 8:36). This freedom means Christ sets us free from the condemnation of law, the fear of death, and a guilty conscience before God and men.
As we celebrate Juneteenth let us remember the grace that is offered to us by Jesus our Lord, who took upon the sins of the world and gave His life so that you and I can be free from the slavery of sin.
A blessed Juneteenth!
Major Sunetra A. George