Free at Last!

Tracey:

Juneteenth is a time when we celebrate the end of slavery in the US. The slaves in Galveston, Texas were among the last slaves to be notified of the cessation of slavery. With their newfound freedom, the former slaves ventured out to create a life for themselves. They wanted to achieve economic equality like their white brothers and sisters. However, being set free did not come with economic freedom. I want to thank my dear friend & sister in the Lord, Tonye Dick, for collaborating with me on this post on the significance of Juneteenth and how what it means to be free in Christ!

Photo of Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900, 2

Austin History Center, Austin Public Library

Tonyé Dick:

“Before I add to the conversation, it is my pleasure and an honor to participate in my Bestie’s (and Sister in Christ’s) first blog collaboration. It is even more humbling to tackle such a significant event in American history as Juneteenth. Although this is a newly recognized national holiday, the reason for its commemoration and reflection is nothing short of crucial as explained earlier. This is because Juneteenth represents the moment that freedom could finally be realized among the African enslaved populations in America. With slavery being legally abolished on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years before all plantation owners released their slaves. So, in essence, slaves had the legal right to leave and escape captivity from their oppressors, but either through the lack of information or the intentional undermining of their owners, their freedom was delayed. 1

For the last slaves in Galveston, Texas, it was not until the Union colored troops, returning from the Civil War, delivered the message of freedom to the slaves on June 19th2, and what a joy and cause for celebration to learn they were legally free. It is important to not only join in the triumphs of others but also to recognize areas in our lives that may be holding us back. These setbacks can come within ourselves or externally through the words and actions of others. And though we are not promised a pain-free life, there is bondage we are all enslaved to and that is sin. Sin in its simplicity is due to our rebellion against God and His moral law, and we have all fallen short of that standard. God knew we could never meet his standard. So, from the moment sin entered the world, God, in His marvelous ways, devised a plan to liberate us; to save us. And spoiler alert, He prevailed!”

Tracey:

“We too were once in bondage to the ways of this world. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world (John 3:16) which means that we are no longer slaves to sin, guilt, or sickness. We are now children of the Most High God! We have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus, which was a priceless & selfless sacrifice. This sacrifice can be considered ‘The Great Exchange’: Jesus died on the cross for our sins in exchange for our spiritual freedom in Christ."

As we reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth and even participate in some of its festivities. We come like the colored troops after the war to announce the marvelous news of salvation. This new life has already been legally ours when Jesus Christ died for our sins. So the question is: Are you ready to be free from the bondage of sin and receive this new life in Christ?

References

1 KHOU 11 Staff (Director). (2021). Juneteenth:1865-2021 [Film]. KHOU 11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkVKgelxVs&t=1955s&ab_channel=KHOU11

2 National Museum of African American History & Culture. (2019, June 19). The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth. National Museum of African American History and Culture. Retrieved June 26, 2022, from https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth