Juneteenth

During the dark and divisive civil war that raged in the United States of America, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, finally freeing African Americans from the bondage of chattel slavery. However, slave masters particularly in Texas cruelly concealed the news of this law and it wasn’t until nearly two and one half years later on June 19, 1865 that U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed that all slaves in all parts of the U.S. were truly free. This day, which brought jubilation to the unknowing enslaved people, emerged as an annual celebration known as Juneteenth. Juneteenth was officially enacted as a U.S. federal holiday on June 17, 2021 and is often referred to as the second or real Independence Day for the African American community.

What Lincoln did with a stroke of a pen for the physical freedom of the black slaves in the United States, Christ did with his death on the cross for the spiritual freedom of all people. Because his sacrifice paid the price of our sin once and for all, we are no longer bound under the yoke of slavery to sin. Christ took the wrath of God on himself so that we can enjoy deliverance from our sin debt.

But just like some slave owners, Satan, our former task master, cruelly and calculatingly tries to keep us from an awareness of the freedom that is ours because of the finished work of Christ. It is to his advantage for the Devil to keep us quaking in fear under his tyranny, oblivious to the benefits that Christ’s crucifixion bought us. The enemy of our soul seeks to retain us slavishly toiling to try to appease a holy God by human effort. He desires to doggedly drive us until we are deprived and depleted of all joy, hope and rest.

This is why the Apostle Paul, like Gordon Granger, boldly declares in Galatians 5:1 that Christ-followers are truly free and should live as such. We are not Satan’s property any longer. We don’t need to do his bidding. We are free from rigid rules keeping regiments. We are at liberty from long lists of legalistic laws. We are free indeed (John 8:36).

It is time for us to live like we both know it and believe it. Let this be your spiritual Juneteenth day and live in the light of liberty that Christ’s death allows. Let freedom ring!

Lord Jesus, thank you that your death on the cross was the payment to deliver me from the bondage of sin. Help me to live in the knowledge that I am no longer bound to the chains of a works based salvation. May I experience your joy as I revel in the freedom of your grace. Amen

Throughout This Day: Worship with the words of “No Longer Slaves” by Bethel Music