Life Changing News

-June 19, 2023-

Good morning happy Monday, happy Juneteenth,

“‘And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold I have told you.’ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

(Matthew 28:7-8).

Juneteenth is our newest federal holiday, now in its third year. It was made a federal holiday in 2021, when Congress based the bill and it was signed by President Joe Biden on June 21, 2021. It marks the day when slavery was officially ended in the United States. President Lincoln had made his famous Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. The Civil War ended with Lee surrendering to Grant April 9, 1865. The news spread slowly and finally reached Texas on June 19, 1865. Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders that all enslaved people were free.

It has been widely celebrated and remembered in Texas ever since but didn’t become a state holiday there until 1980. It is now a federal holiday that all Americans celebrate. The news of freedom creates excitement and joy. It reminds us of the Jewish holiday of Passover when all the Israelites were delivered from their bondage in Egypt and the holiday of Purim when in the days of Queen Esther all Jews were saved from death and had victory over all their enemies. These were and are great days for God’s people.

The resurrection of Christ is celebrated around the world as Easter. The women who followed the Lord were the first to hear that Jesus had risen from the dead and they were to go quickly and tell His disciples that He would meet them in Galilee. News travel much faster today than in years gone by, but the joy and excitement is still strong as ever. We remember what the Lord Jesus did for us at the cross, dying for our sins to give us eternal life and how He rose from the dead. It was and still is life changing news!

Now we as believers have the privilege and responsibility of sharing the gospel, the good news, with the whole world. It is a story with eternal glory. Let us celebrate our freedom from sin, death, and the power and control of the devil. May we also join to celebrate as Americans Juneteenth as we remember the freedom of the slaves and our own freedom. Jesus said, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Have a blessed day celebrating our freedom in our country and especially in Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

Remembering we can’t forget, and not forgetting what we must remember,

Dean