What is Juneteenth? Why is it important? My Journey To Worship takes me now to a town in Texas 150 years ago. January 1, 1863 President Lincoln gave the emancipation proclamation. But in the beginning of June two years later in Texas the slaves were still slaves. The war continued and so did their slavery even though the president had made his proclamation. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that Union soldiers under the leadership of Major Gen. Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas letting them know that they were free. They were free before, but because the war raged on they didn’t know about their freedom.
If any man be in Christ he is a new creature! Jesus came and died and purchased our freedom. But the war continues. There is still hatred. There is still discrimination. There is still poverty. There is still sickness. The good news is that Jesus is soon to return. He will finish the war and establish His kingdom of peace and freedom in Him.
So today, I celebrate the Juneteenth memorial of freedom for African Americans in the south. But I also celebrate the freedom I have in Jesus. I am no longer a slave to sin or to the grave. I have a home up in His kingdom, ain’t that good news!!
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32 KJV
