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Juneteenth Jubilee: Celebrating Freedom in Christ and in History

Juneteenth Jubilee: Celebrating Freedom in Christ and in History 

"The Lord has anointed me...to proclaim freedom for the captives" Isaiah 61:1.

On June 19, 1865, over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the end of the Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to the enslaved people there: You are free. This historic moment—now known as Juneteenth—marked the last enforcement of emancipation in the United States and has since become a powerful celebration of Black freedom and resilience. In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday.

But long before Juneteenth, God had already revealed His heart for freedom.

Scripture celebrates freedom more than twenty times. From the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1–15) to the joyful declaration of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) and the return from exile in Babylon (Isaiah 35:10; Psalm 126), we see a God who delivers, restores, and rejoices over His people with singing. Each moment of liberation is met with praise—songs of joy that remember sorrow but proclaim God’s faithfulness.

So too, when freedom finally rang out in Texas, Black Americans gathered to sing, worship, and give thanks. Juneteenth celebrations continue this legacy—telling hard truths, and remembering injustices, but centering on the dignity, strength, and hope of those who overcame.

The Gospel of Jubilee

When Jesus began His ministry, He read aloud from the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor … to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. —Isaiah 61:1

This wasn’t just history—it was a declaration of the Kingdom of God breaking in. Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of Jubilee. He sets the soul free. He calls all people into a deeper kind of liberty: one not only from human chains, but also from sin, shame, and spiritual darkness.

The more we understand the freedom we’ve been given in Christ, the more our hearts will sing—and the more we are moved to pray, act, and advocate for the freedom of others.

A Moment to Reflect and Respond

As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us ask:

  • Who around me still longs to experience freedom—emotionally, spiritually, or socially?

  • Where might God be inviting me to listen, learn, or lift another?

  • How can I be a bearer of good news and a bridge of reconciliation?

Prayer
Dear God, thank You for setting me free. Teach me to live as one who is truly free in Christ. Show me how to extend that freedom to others—with compassion, courage, and joy. Amen.

How Christians Can Engage with Juneteenth and America’s Black History

Learn Together
Educate yourself, your family, and your community about the rich and complex history of Black Americans and the ongoing realities of seeking justice and resilience in our nation.

Recommended Resources

For more information or support in your journey toward biblical justice, unity, and inclusion, contact Dr. Steven McGriff, Director of Biblical Unity at Valley Christian Schools.