-June 20, 2022-
Good morning, happy Monday, happy Juneteenth,
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Yesterday was Juneteenth here in the United States and it is celebrated today as our newest federal holiday. Last year President Biden by executive order on January 21, 2021, made it such. It been celebrated by black people across our country since the end of the Civil War. President Lincoln freed the slaves in his Emancipation Proclamation, an presidential proclamation and executive order signed on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War. This officially changed the legal status of some 3.5 million enslaved African-American slaves in southern secessionist states from enslaved to free. It was officially known as Proclamation 95.
This was significant in that as soon as they were able to escape their enslavers, either by fleeing to Union lines or by the advancement of federal troops, they were permanently free. In addition, the Proclamation allowed for the recruitment of former slaves into the paid service of the United States armed forces. When the Civil War ended all the slaves were made free. Which brings us to Juneteenth.
The slaves in Texas did not get the word. However, with the arrival of federal troops on Texas soil on June 19, 1865, U.S. General Gordon Granger read Order 3, which stated, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation of the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” What a day of jubilation and celebration it was for all black people. It was named June Nineteenth and later shortened to Juneteenth. It is in essence “Freedom Day.” All Americans should be happy and proud today.
Hundreds of years before, Jesus came to make us free from the bondage of our sins. The truth of His Word set us free from sin and death on the cross. He made us free, and we are free indeed by believing in Him. There is no bondage worse than being under the control of sin, self, and the devil. Jesus broke our chains and set us free. We who were once slaves of sin are now slaves of righteousness. We have new life in Jesus Christ.
The hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote, “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke —the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose went forth, and followed Thee.” No one and nothing can enslave us again. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Not only are we freed from sin, self, and the devil, but also from the law and death. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Let us rejoice with all African-Americans in their freedom from slavery, and in our freedom we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing better than the sweet aroma of freedom! May we all breath it in!
Have a blessed day basking in our freedom. Stay safe and healthy.
In liberty for all,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 